Kamal Ghorui
India’s presence on the global badminton calendar has taken a hit in the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) revamped schedule. While the India Open in New Delhi has retained its Super 750 status despite recent organisational complaints, the Syed Modi International in Lucknow has been downgraded from a Super 300 event to a Super 100 tournament. Two other Indian events in Guwahati and Odisha have also been removed, reducing India’s number of BWF events from four to two. The BWF did not explain why these tournaments were downgraded or dropped.
The India Open will continue as one of the top Super 750 tournaments in the 2027–2030 cycle, even after criticism over issues like cleanliness raised by players this year. Meanwhile, the Syed Modi tournament, which has been part of the World Tour since 2018 and began in 2009, will now be among the lowest-tier events on the circuit.BWF also announced a major overhaul of its World Tour structure, which will include 36 tournaments across six levels, with prize money rising to about USD 26.9 million annually. Prize money will increase across all tiers, with Super 1000 events offering USD 2 million and Super 100 events USD 140,000.The federation is also changing formats to make competitions more exciting and inclusive. From 2027, the World Championships will have a group stage before knockouts, ensuring all players get at least two matches, while team events like the Sudirman, Thomas, and Uber Cups will expand to include more countries.“We are building a sport that speaks to the next generation. 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,” BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said.BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund added that the changes aim to put players first: “Our focus is on building a future-ready framework that drives sustainable growth and amplifies badminton’s global reach… This move reinforces badminton’s position as a globally competitive and commercially attractive sport, while underscoring our commitment to put players at the heart of the game, ensuring fair rewards and sustaining their long-term participation at the highest level.”
