BWF AirBadminton World Cup: Everything You Need to Know Before December

Twelve national teams are set to vie for the top honours in the first-ever BWF AirBadminton World Cup which will take place in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates from December 11–14.

What is AirBadminton?

AirBadminton, the new outdoor version of the sport, according to BWF president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul.

AirBadminton is a format designed for outdoor play on surfaces such as sand, grass, and hard courts.

Why is BWF hosting a AirBadminton World Cup?

“AirBadminton is BWF’s emerging growth discipline with immense potential to expand the global reach of badminton,” said BWF president Leeswadtrakul.

Which nations will participate in BWF AirBadminton World Cup 2025?

Australia, Germany, Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, Brazil, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Nigeria, China, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Venezuela have earned their place in the tournament after a rigorous qualification process.

What is the format of inaugural BWF AirBadminton World Cup?

In triples format, matches will be played in a best-of-five games format. Each game is won by the first team to reach 9 points.

If the score reaches 8-all, a team must lead by two points to win. If the score reaches 12-all, the next point decides the winner. Teams may make up to three substitutions per match.

In team relay, each tie consists of four matches: women’s doubles, men’s doubles, women’s triples and men’s triples.

Each match is played to 15 points, with scores accumulating in a relay format. The first team to reach 60 points wins the tie. Players may participate in one or two matches per tie.

Why is Sharjah hosting the event?

“Our vision for flagship AirBadminton events such as the World Cup in Sharjah is to blend high-level competition with a vibrant festival atmosphere and evening entertainment, helping us reach new audiences and expand the global badminton community,” explained the BWF president..

Which players will headline BWF AirBadminton World Cup 2025?

Former men’s singles top 10 player Wong Wing Ki Vincent heads the lineup for Team Relay favourites Hong Kong China.

Why is BWF’s vision for Airbadminton?

“This year we have launched our first world circuit enabling more Member Associations, teams, and athletes, especially those beyond the traditional badminton powerhouse nations, to take part in BWF-sanctioned competitions. This strengthens the elite competitive landscape and fosters greater inclusivity,” concluded Leeswadtrakul.

– With inputs from PTI

Published on Oct 30, 2025