Sharjah to host first BWF AirBadminton World Cup

Badminton is taking a fresh leap outdoors as Sharjah prepares to host the first-ever BWF AirBadminton World Cup from December 11 to 14, marking a historic milestone in the sport’s evolution.

The tournament will feature 12 national teams Australia, Germany, Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, Brazil, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Nigeria, China, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Venezuela who qualified through a rigorous global selection process.

According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), a total of 96 athletes will compete across three innovative formats: men’s triples, women’s triples, and the team relay. Each event promises a mix of skill, speed, and teamwork, bringing a new dimension to the traditional game.

The event will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of the UAE Badminton Federation.

Highlighting the growing excitement, BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said AirBadminton represents “a new outdoor chapter” for the sport, designed to expand its global reach and inclusivity.

“This year we have launched our first world circuit, enabling more Member Associations and athletes beyond traditional badminton powerhouses to compete in BWF-sanctioned events,” Leeswadtrakul said.

“Our vision for the Sharjah World Cup is to combine high-level competition with a festival atmosphere, helping the sport reach new audiences worldwide.”

Among the star names, former men’s singles top-10 player Wong Wing Ki Vincent will lead Hong Kong China, considered favourites in the team relay event.

Competition format

In the triples format, matches will follow a best-of-five games structure, with each game played to 9 points. If the score reaches 8-all, teams must lead by two points to win, and at 12-all, the next point determines victory. Each side can make up to three substitutions per match.

The team relay event will feature four matches: women's doubles, men’s doubles, women’s triples, and men’s triples. Scores from each match accumulate in a relay style, with the first team to reach 60 points winning the tie. Players can participate in one or two matches per tie.

Designed for outdoor play on sand, grass, or hard courts, AirBadminton uses a specially engineered “AirShuttle” to handle wind conditions and ensure a fast-paced, spectator-friendly experience.

With Sharjah set to welcome the world’s best in this new format, the BWF AirBadminton World Cup promises to blend sport, innovation, and celebration in a landmark event for badminton’s global future.