Badminton: India Open 2026 Scheduled from January 13 to 18

New Delhi: India’s premier international badminton tournament, the India Open 2026, will be held from January 13 to 18 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. With a seating capacity of over 8,000, the iconic venue offers more than double the capacity of the tournament’s previous host arena, underscoring the growing stature of the event on the global badminton calendar.

Organised by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) under the aegis of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the Super 750 tournament will once again bring the world’s leading shuttlers to India. The six-day competition is expected to feature top international names such as An Se-young, PV Sindhu, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty and Lakshya Sen, alongside promising Indian youngsters including Unnati Hooda and Ayush Shetty.

Commenting on the venue shift, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra said that hosting the India Open at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium represents a significant milestone in the tournament’s progression. He noted that the larger arena will enable organisers to welcome many more fans while enhancing the overall experience for players and spectators. Mishra added that as Indian badminton continues to rise globally, it is important for marquee tournaments to evolve in scale and quality to support the sport’s growth.

A key fixture on the BWF World Tour, the India Open offers up to 11,000 ranking points and carries a total prize purse of USD 950,000. The 2026 edition is expected to be bigger, more competitive and more engaging for audiences both in the stadium and beyond.

Tickets for the tournament will be available exclusively online, with prices starting at Rs 400 and premium seating capped at Rs 1,750. The first phase of ticket sales, running until the end of December, offers the highest discounts, including for knockout-stage matches. Subsequent phases beginning in early January will continue to provide reasonably priced options, ensuring accessibility for fans throughout the tournament, including the finals.

With innouts from IANS