Vantaa, Finland — The badminton world is turning its attention to Finland as the Arctic Open 2025 prepares to kick off, solidifying its status as a major stop on the HSBC BWF World Tour. As the only Super 500 tournament held in Europe for the 2023–2026 cycle, the event is set to deliver world-class action from October 7 to 12 at the state-of-the-art Energia Areena in Vantaa. With a significant total prize purse of US$475,000 on offer, the 2025 edition not only promises intense competition but also crucial ranking points for the world’s elite shuttlers.
A New Benchmark for Prize Money
The financial stakes have never been higher for the Finnish tournament, with the prize money increasing to a massive US$475,000. This substantial purse underscores the tournament’s growth and the commitment of Badminton Finland and the BWF to elevate its profile.
The breakdown reveals lucrative rewards for players across all five categories, starting with the singles events. The coveted Men’s and Women’s Singles Champions will each walk away with a handsome $35,625. The competitive incentive remains strong even for the runners-up, who will secure $18,050, while players who reach the Semifinals will earn $6,887.50 each. Even making it through the opening rounds is rewarding, with Quarterfinalists receiving $2,850 and those exiting in the Round of 16 still banking $1,662.50.
The doubles events—Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles—are equally well-rewarded, a reflection of the Super 500 status. The Doubles Champions will claim $37,525, while the runners-up take $18,050. Semifinalists in doubles receive a share of $6,650, Quarterfinalists earn $3,443.75, and pairs reaching the Round of 16 are awarded $1,781.25. The sheer scale of this prize fund makes the Arctic Open one of the most financially significant annual sporting events in Finland.
The Week-Long Path to the Final: Full Schedule Breakdown
All times for the tournament are local to Finland, Eastern European Summer Time (EET/UTC+3).
The week of competition kicks off on Tuesday, October 7, starting with the Qualifying Rounds at 8:00 AM, followed by the initial battles of the Round of 32 in the Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles categories starting at 1:30 PM.
The main draw action ramps up on Wednesday, October 8, with the remaining matches of the Round of 32 commencing at 9:00 AM. By Thursday, October 9, the tournament progresses rapidly to the intensity of the Round of 16, with play scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM.
The knockout stages intensify as the weekend approaches:
- Friday, October 10: The day is dedicated to the thrilling Quarter-Finals, where the best eight players and pairs across all disciplines battle for a semifinal spot. Play starts at 1:00 PM.
- Saturday, October 11: Badminton enthusiasts will be treated to a double session of the Semi-Finals. Matches are scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM and resume later in the day at 5:00 PM, setting the stage for Sunday’s grand finale.
- Sunday, October 12: The champions will be crowned during the Finals, with the action kicking off at 11:00 AM. Five titles will be decided, capping off a week of high-octane badminton.
Global Coverage and High Stakes
As a BWF Super 500 event, the Arctic Open attracts a formidable field, including major stars like India’s Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth, who will be chasing the prestigious title and crucial points for Olympic qualification. The tournament’s placement in the European calendar makes it a pivotal testing ground for players before the higher-tier Super 750 events, the Denmark Open and the French Open, which follow immediately after.
For fans unable to attend the Energia Areena in Vantaa, extensive coverage is available globally. While televised coverage is typically focused on Court 1 for the final four days of competition, the entire tournament is accessible online. The BWF TV YouTube channel offers live streaming of all matches from all courts, starting right from the opening day on Tuesday.
The broadcast schedule highlights the final days of action, with the most concentrated number of matches on Court 1:
- Thursday, October 9: 8 matches (10:00 AM start)
- Friday, October 10: 8 matches (1:00 PM start)
- Saturday, October 11: 5 matches (11:00 AM start) and 3 matches (5:00 PM start)
- Sunday, October 12: 5 matches (11:00 AM start)
The Arctic Open 2025, officially the CLASH OF CLANS Arctic Open, continues the legacy that some view as the spiritual successor to the historic Finnish International tournament. The event’s elevation to Super 500 has firmly placed Vantaa on the world map, promising a magnificent showcase of badminton skill, speed, and strategy for a global audience of over half a billion households. All eyes will be on Finland as players fight not only for a slice of the half-million-dollar prize money but also for glory in this newest and coolest jewel of the BWF World Tour.