Delhi to Host 2026 World Badminton Championship as India Eyes Bigger Glory

India will host the next edition of the BWF World Badminton Championship in August 2026, with New Delhi named as the official venue during the closing ceremony of the ongoing championship in Paris. The announcement comes on the back of India securing another podium finish through the men’s doubles bronze won by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, marking their second World Championship medal.

The honour of staging the world’s most prestigious badminton event was received with pride by the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Its General Secretary, Sanjay Mishra, thanked the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and promised a world-class event.

“We assure that India will uphold and carry forward the same standards of excellence and grandeur that Paris has showcased. We look forward to welcoming the badminton family to Delhi,” Mishra said at the ceremony.

India has a growing legacy at the World Championships, having won 15 medals so far. Leading the tally is PV Sindhu, the double Olympic medallist and former world champion, who has contributed five medals alone—a gold, two silver, and two bronze. Saina Nehwal, another icon of Indian badminton, brought home two bronze medals during her career.

On the men’s side, Prakash Padukone opened India’s World Championship account with a bronze in Copenhagen in 1983. Since then, the men’s medal tally has grown steadily, with Kidambi Srikanth winning silver in 2021, and bronze medals coming from B. Sai Praneeth, Lakshya Sen, and HS Prannoy in recent years.

In women’s doubles, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa made history by winning a bronze in 2011, showcasing India’s depth in all categories of the sport.

The announcement of Delhi as the host city is not only a recognition of India’s consistent rise in world badminton but also an opportunity to inspire the next generation of athletes. With infrastructure, fan support, and top-tier talent in place, India is poised to make the 2026 World Championship a landmark event for the sport.

As preparations begin, the focus will shift toward nurturing medal prospects and ensuring the country delivers both on and off the court when the world’s best shuttlers descend on Delhi in 2026.