The new 3×15 points system will make matches shorter, faster — Chirag Shetty
From 2027, a major change is set to transform the world of badminton – the new 3×15 scoring format.
The Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) long-discussed move from the 3×21 rally-point format to a 3×15 scoring system was approved by its members at the 87th BWF Annual General Meeting in Horsens, Denmark. The change will come into effect on January 4 next year.
While the new-scoring format was being approved, the same city was hosting the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in the traditional 21-point system which not only tested the skill but also, the endurance and fitness of the players. For example, two of the three singles matches in the men’s final between China and France lasted 85 and 96 minutes, respectively.
However, it is unlikely that the next edition of the men’s and women’s team competition in 2028 will feature the kind of physical battles witnessed this year.
Chirag Shetty, member of the Indian team that won the Thomas Cup title in 2022 and a bronze this year, feels that the new scoring format will allow the players to be aggressive throughout the match, something which was not sustainable in the 21-point system.
“The 21-point system did test your endurance and power. It was a very complete format. But with 15 points per game, it will become purely based on speed and power. The ones who are really hard smashers and are quick can sustain until the very end, something you couldn’t do at a stretch in the 21-point system and for five rounds if you played until the finals. With 15 points per game, your body will be able to take that load,” said the 28-year-old during an interaction facilitated by the Sports Authority of India on Tuesday.
“The length of the rallies might become shorter because players will start from the word go. Earlier, even if you didn’t start well, you could catch up but with the 3×15 system, you don’t really have that much time. The matches will definitely become shorter and faster. I don’t know if it will be exciting. We’ll get to know it in a couple of months,” he added.
H. S. Prannoy, also a part of India’s both medal-winning squads, thought that the new scoring format will not allow the shuttlers the time to adjust in trickier court conditions, leading to a situation where the matches between even the top players could wrap up very quickly.
“The 21 points system was the best. As players, we all agree. There was an element of fitness, speed and power. Now, definitely, the matches are going to be much shorter but my only concern is regarding tournaments where the conditions are very windy. There is a lot of drift, especially in places like Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Even 21 points could be over in 25 minutes,” said Prannoy.
“I’m not really sure if it’s going to be fun for the fans out there who spend a lot of money to watch just one match at times.”
At 33, Prannoy is probably in the last phase of his career. But under the new scoring format, he might be able to play a bit longer than he would have originally planned with a few adjustments to his game. “It might help me because obviously, the matches are going to be shorter and I will have more time for recovery at this point,” he said.
“But the youngsters are going to just play at full pace and so, I’ll have to be prepared in that way also where I can’t really be moving slow which is a possibility. In the 21-points system, it is still manageable but in 15, I don’t think that’s even a possibility. It is going to be very tricky and we will know how things are going to be next year.”
Published on May 05, 2026