World Badminton Championships return to India in 2026 after 17-year hiatus

The Badminton World Federation has slated the 2026 World Championships for New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, marking India's first hosting since the 2009 Hyderabad tournament. In 2009 China captured four of the five titles, with Lin Dan securing a historic third singles gold and the Chinese duo Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng winning a marathon men's doubles final against South Korea's Jung Jae Sung and Lee Yong Dae. Denmark interrupted the Chinese sweep by taking mixed doubles, while Chinese pairs also claimed women's singles and doubles.

Over the past decade the field has grown more balanced, with only one all-same-nation final among the last 25. The New Delhi stadium underwent a Rs 20 crore refurbishment after concerns raised during the India Open test event, and athletes are now acclimating to the upgraded facilities.