In a significant upgrade for one of India's premier sporting events, the BWF India Open Super 750 tournament is shifting to a new, larger venue in the national capital. The prestigious badminton competition will be held at the iconic Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, moving away from its previous home at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall.
A Strategic Shift for a Growing Sport
The decision to change the venue is driven by two major factors. Primarily, the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium boasts a seating capacity of over 8,000, which is more than double that of the KD Jadhav Hall. This allows many more fans to witness world-class badminton action live. Secondly, and perhaps more strategically, this move serves as a critical test run for the venue ahead of a monumental event. India is set to host the prestigious Badminton World Championships in August next year, and the India Open will provide invaluable operational experience.
Tournament Details and Star-Studded Lineup
The 2026 India Open Super 750 is scheduled to take place from January 13th to 18th. It marks the second tournament on the BWF World Tour calendar, following the season-opening Malaysia Open Super 750. The event is a major draw on the global circuit, offering top players a chance to earn up to 11,000 ranking points and compete for a substantial total prize purse of USD 950,000.
The player field is expected to be glittering with talent. Indian hopes will rest on stars like Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen, and the world-class men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. They will be challenged by global icons such as Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn, South Korea's An Se-young, and China's Shi Yuqi.
Enhanced Experience for Players and Fans
Sanjay Mishra, the General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), emphasized the importance of this evolution. He stated that moving the tournament to a larger venue is a key step in its growth, enabling organizers to accommodate more spectators while simultaneously improving the on-ground experience for both athletes and fans. This upgrade also addresses previous criticisms about playing conditions, notably voiced by Danish player Mia Blichfeldt during the last edition.
For fans eager to be part of the action, tickets will be sold exclusively online via the platform Ticmint. Pricing is designed to be accessible, starting from just Rs 400, with premium seating options available for up to Rs 1,750. This move to a bigger arena, coupled with a streamlined ticketing process, underscores the rising profile of badminton in India and the commitment to hosting world-class sporting spectacles.
