The Badminton World Federation -BWF- has launched an ambitious strategic plan together with its commercial and broadcast partner Infront to consolidate a new era of international expansion. The renewal of the agreement between both entities through 2034 marks the starting point of a deep structural evolution that will reshape the calendar, competition formats, TV production, prize money and the overall player and fan experience.
From 2027 onwards, the number of TV-produced matches will double from 1,410 to approximately 3,000 per year across all BWF tournaments. This increase in content will be integrated into a revamped BWF World Tour featuring 36 tournaments across six levels: the BWF World Tour Finals, five Super 1000, five Super 750, nine Super 500, eight Super 300 and eight Super 100, unified within a single global structure for the first time.
Prize money will increase across every tier. Super 1000 events will rise from 1,450,000 dollars to 2,000,000 dollars per tournament. Super 750 will grow from 950,000 to 1,100,000 dollars. Super 500 will increase from 500,000 to 560,000 dollars. Super 300 will move from 250,000 to 290,000 dollars, while Super 100 tournaments will reach 140,000 dollars, up from 120,000. In addition, the BWF World Tour Finals will offer a prize pool of 3,000,000 dollars. Overall, the circuit could reach up to 26.9 million dollars in annual prize money.
Major championships reimagined
The five Super 1000 tournaments will expand their format to include 48 players in singles, competing in a group stage followed by knockout rounds, and 32 pairs in doubles in a straight elimination draw. Each event will last 11 days and span two weekends. In total, the Super 1000 category will generate 1,095 matches for global broadcast distribution.
The BWF World Championships will introduce a group stage prior to the knockout phase, guaranteeing at least two matches per player. From 2027, the event will produce 271 matches. The BWF Sudirman Cup Finals will expand to 24 national teams and broadcast 100 percent of its 215 matches. From 2028, the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals will also feature 24 teams and produce 100 percent of their 258 matches within a 12-day competition format.
Growing audiences and stronger commercial impact
Since the partnership between BWF and Infront began in 2018, the global fan base has grown by 65 percent, reaching 744 million people worldwide. Annual on-site attendance now approaches 600,000 spectators. Total broadcast hours have doubled to more than 121,000, with a cumulative audience of 122 million per event and more than 50 broadcast partners across 160 territories. The number of sponsor brands involved in the sport has also doubled during this period.
The new cycle will include a comprehensive technological upgrade with standardized lighting and camera systems, enhanced LED integration and data-driven graphics. A dedicated OTT platform will be launched to provide direct access in underserved markets, while tournament presentation will incorporate festival-style activations and fan zones designed to strengthen engagement.
The President of the BWF, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, stated: “We are building a sport that speaks to the next generation. Every element, from competition formats with increased prize money to broadcast strategy, has been redesigned to meet the demands of a truly global sport in the twenty-first century”.
Players at the centre of the strategy
The strategy also introduces two-week formats at the highest levels to allow for more balanced scheduling and improved recovery between matches. Player lounges and facilities will be upgraded to raise standards both on and off the court. The Secretary General of the BWF, Thomas Lund, said: “This new framework reinforces badminton’s position as a globally competitive and commercially attractive sport, while ensuring fair rewards and sustainable conditions for our players”.
With this structural and commercial transformation, the BWF and Infront are projecting a stable long-term model through 2034 that combines more tournaments, greater broadcast production, increased prize money and broader international expansion, aiming to consolidate badminton as a leading global sports property.
