Indian badminton is preparing for one of the biggest moments in its history as New Delhi gears up to host the BWF World Championships 2026, marking the tournament’s return to the country after a gap of 17 years. With some of the world’s finest players expected to compete and thousands of fans set to fill the stands, the championship promises to be a landmark event for the sport in India.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has officially appointed BookMyShow as the ticketing partner for the prestigious tournament, which will be held at the iconic Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from August 17 to 23, 2026. Organisers have announced that more than 6,000 seats will be available for spectators each day, offering badminton enthusiasts a rare opportunity to witness the sport’s biggest stars in action on Indian soil.
To make the event accessible to a wider audience, ticket prices will begin at Rs 499 under a special Early Bird category. Fans can also take advantage of a limited-period 15 per cent discount across five additional ticket categories. Premium seating packages have been priced at Rs 5,500, offering an enhanced matchday experience for those seeking the best view of the action. Ticket sales will be rolled out in phases, with the first release covering the opening four days of competition. Organisers have confirmed that ticket pricing will remain consistent throughout the tournament, including the semifinals and finals.
The 2026 edition carries particular significance for Indian badminton. The country last hosted the BWF World Championships in Hyderabad in 2009, when the sport was still developing its global footprint in India. Since then, Indian badminton has undergone a remarkable transformation, producing Olympic medallists, world champions and multiple top-10 players across singles and doubles categories.
For the first time, some of India’s most accomplished contemporary stars will have the chance to compete at the World Championships in front of home fans. Olympic bronze medallist and former world champion P.V. Sindhu, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lakshya Sen, and the celebrated men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are expected to headline the Indian challenge. The tournament is also likely to feature an impressive international field.
South Korean superstar and current world No. 1 An Se-young is expected to be among the biggest attractions in women’s singles. China, one of badminton’s traditional powerhouses, is set to send a strong contingent led by Shi Yu Qi and Li Shi Feng. In doubles, Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri are among the names expected to compete.
The presence of such elite players is expected to elevate the championship into one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year in India.
“The BWF World Championships coming to New Delhi is a landmark moment for Indian badminton and for the fans who have fuelled the sport’s rise over the years,” said Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary, BAI.
India’s rise in world badminton has been one of the country’s most remarkable sporting success stories over the last decade and a half. Since 2011, India has won at least one medal at every edition of the BWF World Championships, a streak that highlights the nation’s growing consistency at the highest level. The journey began with former world No. 1 Saina Nehwal, who won bronze medals in 2015 and 2017 and played a pivotal role in inspiring a new generation of players. P.V. Sindhu then elevated Indian badminton to unprecedented heights by winning five World Championship medals, including a historic gold medal in 2019, making her the first Indian to become world champion.
In men’s singles, Kidambi Srikanth became the first Indian man to win a silver medal at the World Championships in 2021, while Lakshya Sen and H.S. Prannoy have continued to strengthen India’s presence among the world’s elite. Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have emerged as one of the strongest men’s doubles pairs globally, becoming the first Indian duo to win the Asian Games gold medal and achieve the world No. 1 ranking.
Hosting the World Championships offers India an opportunity not only to showcase its elite athletes but also to further accelerate badminton’s popularity among young fans. The sport has witnessed significant growth in participation, infrastructure and commercial support over the past decade, with domestic tournaments and academies producing a steady pipeline of talent.
The championship is expected to attract international visitors, media attention and some of the largest crowds ever seen at a badminton event in the country. For Indian fans, it presents a rare chance to watch world champions, Olympic medallists and top-ranked players compete under one roof.
As the countdown begins, anticipation continues to build around a tournament that could become a defining moment for Indian badminton. With a passionate fan base, a strong home contingent and some of the world’s biggest stars expected to compete, New Delhi is set to take centre stage in the global badminton calendar next August.
