New Delhi to Host the 2026 BWF World Championships, Marking India's Return to the Global Stage.
Sports
In a announcement by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Championships in Paris, New Delhi has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 BWF World Championships, set to take place in August. This high-profile decision marks India’s return to staging the event after 17 years, with the last edition held in Hyderabad in 2009.
- The upcoming 2026 tournament will represent the 30th edition of the BWF World Championships. It is scheduled to be held at the iconic Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, renowned for being one of Asia’s largest indoor arenas.
- The host selection emerged after India relinquished hosting rights for the 2023 Sudirman Cup, held instead in Suzhou, China. As compensation, India was granted the opportunity to host the 2026 World Championships. This flexible arrangement underscores the BWF’s commitment to equity among member nations.
Main Point :- (i) At the Paris handover ceremony, BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul and Frank Laurent, President of the French Badminton Federation, officially passed the mantle to Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Mishra assured the audience that India would deliver a championship that matched the grandeur of Paris.
(ii) This return not only highlights India’s rising farming stature in badminton but also its evolving capabilities as an event host. India has maintained an uninterrupted medal streak at the World Championships since 2011, cementing its standing as both a sporting powerhouse and premier destination for international badminton competitions.
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