The international badminton calendar can look crowded and confusing, with a tournament almost every week. In practice, a handful of events matter far more than the rest, and most of them follow a predictable pattern from year to year. This guide explains the major badminton events every fan and player should know: what each one is, how often it is held, its format and why it matters.
Specific dates and host cities change every season, so we describe the usual pattern here. For confirmed dates, always check the BWF events calendar.
The Badminton Calendar at a Glance
| Event | How often | Type | Usual timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | Every four years | Individual | Summer of the Olympic year |
| BWF World Championships | Every year except Olympic years | Individual | Usually August |
| Thomas Cup and Uber Cup | Every two years (even years) | Men’s and women’s teams | Usually April to May |
| Sudirman Cup | Every two years (odd years) | Mixed teams | Usually April to May |
| All England Open | Every year | Individual (World Tour Super 1000) | March |
| BWF World Tour Finals | Every year | Individual, top eight only | December |
| World Junior Championships | Every year | Under-19 individual and team | Varies |
The Individual Championships
The Olympic Games
The Olympics are the biggest prize in badminton. Five events are contested, and the field is small because each country’s entries are limited. The next Games are in Los Angeles in 2028. For qualification, the group stage and the rules, see our guide to Olympic badminton rules, format and famous matches.
The BWF World Championships
First held in 1977 in Malmö, Sweden, the World Championships are now held every year except Olympic years. They have been a knockout tournament with larger draws than the Olympics (the BWF plans to add a group stage before the knockout rounds from 2027), and both beaten semi-finalists receive a bronze medal. No prize money is paid, but the title of world champion and the ranking points (equal to the Olympics) make it the main target in non-Olympic years.
The All England Open
First held in 1899, the All England is the oldest badminton tournament in the world. Before the World Championships existed, it was treated as the unofficial world championship, and players still value it above almost any other tour title. Today it is one of the World Tour’s Super 1000 events (four until 2026, five from 2027) and is held in Birmingham each March.
The BWF World Tour and its Finals
Most weeks of the year are filled by World Tour events, graded from Super 100 up to Super 1000. The season ends in December with the World Tour Finals, which only the top eight players or pairs in each discipline can enter. Our explainer on how the BWF World Tour works covers the tiers, ranking points and prize money.
The Team Championships
Badminton is mostly an individual sport, which is why the team events produce such intense national pressure and some of the most emotional matches of any season.
Thomas Cup and Uber Cup
The Thomas Cup is the men’s world team championship, first contested in 1948-49. The Uber Cup, for women’s teams, followed in 1956-57. The two have been held together since 1984 and now take place every two years, in even-numbered years.
Each tie is the best of five matches: three singles and two doubles. Indonesia has the most Thomas Cup titles and China the most Uber Cup titles. In 2022, India won the Thomas Cup for the first time, a result we discuss in our India vs China badminton comparison.
Sudirman Cup
The Sudirman Cup is the mixed team championship, first held in 1989 and named after Dick Sudirman, a founder of the Indonesian badminton association. It is held every two years in odd-numbered years. Each tie has five matches, one in each discipline, so a team needs strength in all five events. China has won the large majority of editions.
Continental, Multi-Sport and Junior Events
- Continental championships: Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pan Am region and Oceania each hold their own championships. They award ranking points and often decide places at team championships.
- Asian Games: held every four years, with team and individual badminton. Because so many top players are Asian, the standard is close to a World Championships.
- Commonwealth Games: held every four years. Badminton has been a popular part of the programme, but sports vary by edition: it was left off the slimmed-down Glasgow 2026 programme, so check whether it is included.
- BWF World Junior Championships: the under-19 world championships, with an individual event and a mixed team event (the Suhandinata Cup). Many future stars first appear here.
- National championships: every country runs its own; in nations with a smaller elite scene, these are often the main stage for local players. Our article on the history of badminton in Pakistan is one example of how a national scene develops.
How to Follow the Major Events
For fans
- Use the official BWF website and app for draws, live scores and results.
- Check the BWF’s official video channels for live streams and highlights. Rights vary by country, so some matches are only available through local broadcasters.
- Follow the team events closely: Thomas, Uber and Sudirman Cup ties produce the biggest upsets.
- Watch the early rounds of Super 100 and Super 300 events to spot young players before they break through.
For players and coaches
- Plan training blocks to peak for your target events instead of trying to be at your best all year.
- Use continental and international series events to gain ranking points before entering bigger draws.
- Check entry deadlines and eligibility rules early, especially for team events and age-group championships.
- Budget for travel and recovery: back-to-back events on different continents are physically demanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most prestigious badminton tournament?
The Olympic Games, followed by the World Championships. Among tour events, the All England Open carries the most history.
How often are the Thomas and Uber Cups held?
Every two years, in even-numbered years. The Sudirman Cup is played in the odd-numbered years between them.
Why is there no World Championships in an Olympic year?
The BWF leaves Olympic years free so that the two biggest individual events do not compete for players, schedules or attention.
