2026 All England Open

The All England Open Badminton Championships is widely considered the most prestigious badminton tournament in the world outside of the Olympics and World Championships. As the oldest tournament in the sport’s history, holding a title here is a career-defining achievement for any shuttler.

The 2026 edition promises to be another spectacle of elite badminton, serving as a key BWF World Tour Super 1000 event. With the 2026 season well underway, players will be fighting not just for the massive prize purse but for the legendary status that comes with lifting the trophy at the Utilita Arena.

Quick Facts

Feature	Detail
Tournament Name	Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships 2026
Dates	March 3 – March 8, 2026
Level	BWF World Tour Super 1000
Host City	Birmingham, England
Venue	Utilita Arena Birmingham (King Edwards Rd, B1 2AA)
Total Prize Money	US$ 1,450,000
Surface	Yonex Court Mats (Indoor Hard)
Defending Champions	Shi Yuqi, An Se-young, Kim/Seo, Matsuyama/Shida, Guo/Chen

Past Champions: The 2025 Edition

The 2025 All England Open was a historic tournament characterized by the dominance of East Asian shuttlers. The defending champions heading into the 2026 edition are:

• Men’s Singles (MS):Shi Yuqi (CHN)
  • 2025 Final: Defeated Lee Chia-hao (TPE) in a masterful display of control and attack. This marked Shi’s second All England title, solidifying his return to the pinnacle of the sport.
• Women’s Singles (WS):An Se-young (KOR)
  • 2025 Final: Defeated Wang Zhiyi (CHN). An Se-young continued her “Golden Era,” proving too consistent and physically resilient for the Chinese challenger.
• Men’s Doubles (MD):Kim Won-ho & Seo Seung-jae (KOR)
  • 2025 Final: Overcame a spirited challenge to take the title, showcasing Seo’s incredible versatility as a double-duty player.
• Women’s Doubles (WD):Nami Matsuyama & Chiharu Shida (JPN)
  • 2025 Final: The Japanese pair known for their “smiling defense” captured the hearts of the Birmingham crowd and the trophy with their rapid rotations and tactical brilliance.
• Mixed Doubles (XD):Guo Xinwa & Chen Fanghui (CHN)
  • 2025 Final: A newer pairing that surged to the top, maintaining China’s stronghold on the mixed doubles discipline.

Stars to Watch in 2026

As we approach March 2026, several narratives are shaping up:

1. The Kings of Men’s Singles

• Shi Yuqi (CHN): The defending champion will be the man to beat. His net play and smash accuracy have returned to their 2018 peak.
• Viktor Axelsen (DEN): The Danish legend is never to be counted out. Despite the rise of younger talents, his height and steep smashing angles remain a unique threat on the slow Birmingham courts.
• Jonatan Christie (INA): The 2024 champion loves this arena. His physical style suits the heavy conditions often found at the All England.

2. The Queen’s Gambit

• An Se-young (KOR): Is there anyone who can stop her? Her footwork is impeccable, and she rarely makes unforced errors. She enters 2026 as the heavy favorite to retain her title.
• Tomoka Miyazaki (JPN): The rising teenage star has been making waves in late 2025. Her creative shot-making could be the disruption needed against the top seeds.

3. Doubles Dynamics

• Liang Weikeng & Wang Chang (CHN): The explosive Chinese duo will be hungry to reclaim the top spot after missing out in 2025.
• Fajar Alfian & Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (INA): The Indonesian “Speed Duo” always brings a large fanbase and high-octane rallies to the Utilita Arena.

Provisional Schedule (March 3–8, 2026)

Based on the 2025 format. Note: Times are GMT.

• Day 1: Tuesday, March 3 (Round of 32)
  • Session starts: 10:00 AM.
  • Action: First round matches across four courts.
• Day 2: Wednesday, March 4 (Round of 32)
  • Session starts: 10:00 AM.
  • Action: Completion of the first round.
• Day 3: Thursday, March 5 (Round of 16)
  • Session starts: 10:00 AM.
  • Action: The “Business End” begins. Winners advance to the Quarterfinals.
• Day 4: Friday, March 6 (Quarterfinals)
  • Session 1: 10:00 AM (First half of QF matches).
  • Session 2: 5:00 PM (Second half of QF matches).
  • Note: Often considered the best value day for fans, featuring 20 high-stakes matches.
• Day 5: Saturday, March 7 (Semifinals)
  • Session 1: 10:00 AM.
  • Session 2: 5:00 PM.
  • Action: The final four in each discipline battle for a spot in history. The arena setup usually shifts to fewer courts (often just one TV court) to focus attention.
• Day 6: Sunday, March 8 (The Finals)
  • Session starts: 11:00 AM.
  • Action: Five matches. Five champions crowned.

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Prize Money Distribution

The 2026 All England Open is a Super 1000 event, the highest tier of the BWF World Tour. The total prize pool is US$1,450,000.

(Distribution based on standard BWF Super 1000 regulations)

Result	Singles (Per Player)	Doubles (Per Pair)	Points (World Ranking)
Winner	$101,500	$107,300	12,000
Runner-up	$49,300	$50,750	10,200
Semifinalist	$20,300	$20,300	8,400
Quarterfinalist	$7,975	$9,062.50	6,600
Round of 16	$4,350	$4,712.50	4,800
Round of 32	$1,450	$1,450	3,000

Note: All prize money is subject to local tax laws in the UK.

Ticketing & Fan Information

Tickets for the All England Open generally go on sale in the summer of the preceding year (July/August 2025 for the 2026 event).

• Where to buy: The official ticket partner for the 2026 All England Open is AXS and is accessible via the Badminton England website.
• Ticket Tiers (General Sale – Bronze Category):
  • Weekend Season Ticket: A comprehensive package covering all action on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals). Priced at £110.80 for adults.
  • Daily Tickets (All Day):
    • Early Rounds (Tue–Thu): Single-day entry is £33.55 per day.
    • Quarterfinals (Fri): Full-day access is £32.25.
    • Semifinals (Sat): Full-day access is £47.25.
    • Finals (Sun): The premium day, priced at £49.45 for adults.
  • Session Tickets: Specific session passes are available for Friday and Saturday, offering a more flexible option. Friday sessions start at £21.35, while Saturday sessions are £33.50.
  • Note: Prices listed are for Adults. Child tickets (starting from £14.25) and Concession tickets are also available.
• Premium Experiences: The “1899 Club” and other hospitality packages offer front-row seating, lounge access, and complimentary dining.
• Ticket Prices (General Sale):

Note: Prices below are based on Bronze category seating.

Session / Day	Adult	Child	Concession
Tuesday – Thursday	£33.55	£14.25	£28.93
Friday Session	£21.35	£14.15	£18.68
Friday All Day	£32.25	£20.69	£27.89
Saturday Session	£33.50	£21.35	£28.93
Saturday All Day	£47.25	£32.25	£44.45
Sunday All Day	£49.45	£30.95	£42.55
Weekend Season Ticket	£110.80	£69.95	£97.75

Venue Tips (Utilita Arena):

• Bag Policy: Strict A4 size limit for bags. No backpacks.
• Food: Inside the arena, options include burgers, fries, and typical stadium concessions. Many fans prefer eating at the nearby Brindleyplace canalside restaurants before entering.
• Transport: The arena is a short walk from Birmingham New Street Station.

A Brief History: Why It Matters

Established in 1899, the All England Open is the world’s oldest badminton tournament. Before the BWF World Championships began in 1977, winning the All England was universally considered winning the “World Championship.”

Even today, it retains a mystic aura. It was held at the Wembley Arena for decades before moving to Birmingham in 1994. The tournament has seen legends like Rudy Hartono (who won 8 titles), Lin Dan, and Lee Chong Wei grace its courts.

For players, the All England is “The One to Win.” The prestige of the white trophy, the history of the venue, and the knowledgeable crowd make it unique. Unlike other modern tournaments that rely on flashing lights and loud music, the All England retains a respectful, almost tennis-like atmosphere where the shuttlecock’s sound echoes through the hall—until the crowd erupts.