PETALING JAYA: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) have announced massive changes from 2027 onwards to take the sport to greater heights.
Among the changes are increasing the World Tour Super 1000 from four to five tournaments, expanding the duration of the competition over two weekends and increasing the annual prize pool of up to US$26.9 million (RM105.7mil)
In the Super 1000 competitions, singles will have 48 players competing in groups before moving into the elimination rounds, while doubles will follow the existing format of a 32-pair knockout draw.
Each tournament will take place over 11 days, spanning two weekends.
There will also be changes in the World Championships which will adopt a group-stage format followed by knockout play, ensuring all competitors contest at least two matches.
This reduces early eliminations and strengthens fan engagement across more markets.
The Sudirman Cup and Thomas-Uber Cup Finals will expand to more teams, delivering broader international representation and competitive diversity.
The introduction of two-week formats across more tournament levels is among BWF's efforts to improve playing conditions for the world’s leading players.
Extending the competition window enables more balanced scheduling and gives athletes greater recovery time between matches.
This approach aligns with the BWF’s strategic objective of supporting athletes in their pursuit of excellence and enabling them to sustain longer, more successful careers in badminton.
"We are building a sport that speaks to the next generation," said BWF president Patama Leeswadtrakul.
Every element, from competition formats with increased prize money, to broadcast strategy and sponsorship value chains has been reimagined to meet the demands of a truly global sport in the 21st century.
"It is a bold undertaking, but it is exactly what our sport needs to thrive.
"This is the culmination of our shared vision and partnership with Infront (television and branding partner) to elevate badminton’s global standing and unlock its full potential."
