The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has officially announced that Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, will be the proud host of the very first BWF AirBadminton World Cup in 2025. This landmark event, scheduled from December 11th to 14th, marks a significant step in the global expansion of AirBadminton, the outdoor version of the sport launched by BWF in May 2019.
Under the esteemed 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, and in collaboration with the Sharjah Sports Council (SSC), the World Cup is poised to be a vibrant showcase for the burgeoning outdoor game.
A bespoke, pop-up AirBadminton arena will be constructed at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue in Sharjah, setting the stage for 72 elite athletes representing 12 teams from across the globe. These teams will comprise: 3 from Asia, 3 from Europe, 2 from Africa, 2 from Pan America, 1 from Oceania, and 1 host nation team.
The competition will feature thrilling events including the team relay, women’s triples, and men’s triples. Qualification for the World Cup is well underway, with four Continental Championships serving as crucial pathways:
- BWF AirBadminton Pan Am Continental Championships 2025: April 12-13, Lima, Peru (Venezuela and Brazil were the first teams to qualify from this event).
- BWF AirBadminton Africa Continental Championships 2025: July 3-6, Accra, Ghana.
- BWF AirBadminton Asia Pacific Continental Championships 2025: August 8-10, Port Dickson, Malaysia.
- BWF AirBadBadminton European Continental Championships 2025: September 5-7, Baku, Azerbaijan.
The highest-ranked teams from the team relay at each Continental Championship will secure their coveted spots in the World Cup. Players for the women’s and men’s triples events will be drawn from these already qualified teams.
BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul expressed her enthusiasm for Sharjah as the host city, calling it a “significant milestone” for the sport. “Securing a host for our first-ever World Cup marks a key milestone in establishing a complete international AirBadminton tournament calendar for 2025, which has been a core strategic goal for the BWF,” Leeswadtrakul stated. She emphasized AirBadminton’s “immense potential” to expand the global badminton community, particularly by enabling more Member Associations, teams, and athletes beyond traditional badminton powerhouses to participate in BWF-sanctioned competitions.
Her Excellency Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, echoed the sentiment, thanking His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi for his unwavering support. Al Hazami affirmed that hosting this World Cup will “elevate Sharjah’s international reputation,” building on its proven success in organizing numerous local and international events, including other beach sports. He highlighted the SSC’s full commitment to ensuring the event’s success and fostering a strong local foundation for AirBadminton, anticipating that the World Cup will provide “great momentum to boost participation and long-term engagement in regional and international competitions.”
The BWF envisions the Sharjah World Cup to combine high-level competition with a vibrant festival atmosphere and evening entertainment, aiming to attract new audiences and further expand the sport’s global reach. With Sharjah’s established track record in hosting international sporting events, the inaugural BWF AirBadminton World Cup promises to be a memorable and impactful debut for the exciting outdoor discipline.