2026 Badminton Asia Championships Semifinal Preview and Schedule

The Ningbo Olympic Sports Center is set to ignite this Saturday, April 11, 2026, as the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) reaches its penultimate stage. With continental supremacy and vital ranking points on the line, the semifinal lineup promises a masterclass in shuttlecock precision, endurance, and tactical brilliance.

From home favorites looking to defend their turf to rising stars aiming for a massive upset, the ten matches scheduled for Court 1 cover all five disciplines. Here is a deep dive into the matchups and the global viewing schedule.

The Morning Session: Youth vs. Experience

The action kicks off at 10:00 AM local time (CST) with a fascinating Mixed Doubles clash. Japan’s newly formed duo of Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi will look to impose their creative playstyle against the resilient South Korean pair, Kim Jae-hyeon and Jang Ha-jeong.

Following them, the Women’s Singles world number one and top seed, An Se-young, takes the court for an all-Korean derby against Sim Yu-jin. While An is the heavy favorite, the familiarity between the two training partners often leads to long, grueling rallies that test the physical limits of both athletes.

One of the most anticipated matches of the morning features the Men’s Singles top seed, Kunlavut Vitidsarn. The Thai sensation faces a spirited challenge from India’s Ayush Shetty. Shetty has been the “giant killer” of the tournament, and his clash against Vitidsarn’s impenetrable defense will be a tactical chess match.

The Evening Session: Powerhouse Collisions

After a mid-day break, the intensity shifts gears at 5:00 PM. The “Not Before” slot features a blockbuster Women’s Singles match between Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi and China’s Wang Zhiyi. Both players are known for their incredible court coverage, making this a likely candidate for the longest match of the day.

The Men’s Singles sees a veteran battle as Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen faces off against the local hero and second seed, Shi Yuqi. With the Ningbo crowd behind him, Shi Yu Qi will look to use his explosive smash to break down Chou’s legendary grit.

The day concludes with high-octane Men’s Doubles. The Indonesian powerhouse duo of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri will anchor the final match against South Korea’s Kang Min-hyuk and Ki Dong-ju. With Fikri and Alfian’s rapid-fire net play going up against the Koreans’ defensive solidity, it is a fitting finale for a day of elite sport.

Global Kick-off Times & Schedule

To ensure you don’t miss a single serve, use the table below to convert the Ningbo local time (China Standard Time – UTC+8) to your specific region.

Note: “Followed By” times are estimates. Matches may start earlier or later depending on the duration of previous games. The evening session will not start before 5:00 PM local time.