2026 Indonesia Open

The 2026 Indonesia Open promises to be a watershed moment in the BWF World Tour calendar. As a Super 1000 event, it has always been the jewel of the badminton world—often dubbed the “unofficial World Championship” due to its electric atmosphere and prestige. However, the 2026 edition is set to carry extra weight with the historic return of the Djarum Foundation as a primary strategic partner and organizer, signaling a revival of the “golden era” of event presentation in Jakarta.

Below is a detailed overview of what fans and stakeholders can expect from this marquee tournament.

Tournament Essentials

• Expected Official Title: Djarum Indonesia Open 2026 (BWF World Tour Super 1000)
• Dates: June 2 – June 7, 2026
• Host City: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Venue:Istora Senayan (Istora Gelora Bung Karno)
  • Note: While there has been significant public expectation and speculation regarding a move to the larger Indonesia Arena (IMS) to accommodate higher capacity, current scheduled planning lists the legendary Istora Senayan as the primary venue. The “Istora Magic”—with its deafening “Eaa Eaa” chants—remains a core identity of the tournament.
• Prize Money:US$ 1,450,000 (Approx. IDR 23 Billion)
  • This massive purse ensures participation from the absolute elite of the sport.
• Ranking Points:
  • Winner: 12,000 points
  • Runner-up: 10,200 points
  • Semifinalists: 8,400 points

The Comeback of Djarum Foundation

The most significant storyline for the 2026 edition is the official return of the Djarum Foundation (Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation) as a main sponsor and event organizer (EO) after a six-year hiatus.

From 2004 to 2013, the “Djarum Indonesia Open” was globally recognized as the best-organized badminton tournament, famed for turning a sporting event into a family entertainment spectacle. Their departure left a gap in the tournament’s presentation style. Their return in 2026 is expected to:

1. Elevate the Fan Experience: Djarum is known for integrating live music, cultural bazaars, and interactive fan zones that rival major music festivals.
2. Boost Production Quality: Expect world-class lighting, court presentation, and broadcast values.
3. Support Local Talent: Their involvement often correlates with a renewed focus on scouting and supporting young Indonesian shuttlers on the big stage.

2025 Edition Recap: The Defending Champions

To understand the stakes of 2026, we must look at the reigning kings and queens who conquered Jakarta in 2025. These athletes will enter the 2026 tournament with a target on their backs.

• Men’s Singles (MS): Anders Antonsen (Denmark)
  • The Feat: Antonsen finally captured the Istora crown after years of being a crowd favorite, showcasing his tactical brilliance to defeat his opponents in a thrilling final.
• Women’s Singles (WS): An Se-young (South Korea)
  • The Feat: Continuing her dominance, An Se-young proved too consistent and physically superior, cementing her status as the era’s defining female player.
• Men’s Doubles (MD): Kim Won-ho & Seo Seung-jae (South Korea)
  • The Feat: The Koreans shocked the home favorites and top seeds with their speed and defense, proving to be the most versatile pair on tour.
• Women’s Doubles (WD): Liu Shengshu & Tan Ning (China)
  • The Feat: This young Chinese pair overwhelmed veterans with their sheer power and attacking style, signaling a changing of the guard in women’s doubles.
• Mixed Doubles (XD): Thom Gicquel & Delphine Delrue (France)
  • The Feat: A historic win for Europe in a discipline usually dominated by Asia. Their victory was a masterclass in tactical discipline and composure.

Stars to Watch in 2026

The 2026 field will be star-studded. Aside from the defending champions, several key narratives will drive the competition:

1. Viktor Axelsen (Denmark): The towering Dane will likely be looking to reclaim his territory. If he is healthy, he remains the man to beat.
2. Jonatan Christie & Anthony Ginting (Indonesia): Playing at home, “Jojo” and Ginting are always under immense pressure. With the Djarum Foundation back, the expectation for a home winner in Men’s Singles will be feverish.
3. Shi Yuqi (China): As one of the few players capable of consistently challenging Axelsen, Shi Yu Qi’s form will be critical to the Men’s Singles draw.
4. Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik (Malaysia): The Malaysian pair has a knack for big tournaments and will be looking to add the Indonesia Open Super 1000 title to their accolades.
5. Rising Indonesian Pairs: In Men’s Doubles, watch for the next generation (such as Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin) and in-form senior pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikrito try and reclaim the “pride of the nation” title in Jakarta.

Tournament Schedule (Projected)

Based on the standard BWF Super 1000 format and the previous year’s schedule, the 2026 event will follow this intense six-day trajectory:

Day	Date	Round	Estimated Time (WIB)
Tuesday	June 2	Round of 32 (Part 1)	09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Wednesday	June 3	Round of 32 (Part 2)	09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Thursday	June 4	Round of 16	09:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Friday	June 5	Quarterfinals	01:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Saturday	June 6	Semifinals	12:00 PM – 08:00 PM
Sunday	June 7	Grand Finals	12:00 PM – 06:00 PM

Note: The Istora usually sees full capacity crowds from the Quarterfinals onwards, with tickets often selling out minutes after release.

A Brief History: Titans of the Indonesia Open

Established in 1982, the Indonesia Open is one of the oldest and most historic tournaments in Asia. It has witnessed the evolution of badminton from the 15-point scoring system to the current rally-point era.

The tournament is famous for being incredibly difficult to defend; the raucous crowd can lift home players to impossible victories or crumble the focus of visiting legends.

Most Successful Players & Pairs

The “Hall of Fame” for the Indonesia Open is dominated by legends who thrived on the chaotic energy of Jakarta:

• Men’s Singles Kings (6 Titles):
  • Ardy Wiranata (INA): The defensive wall of Indonesia ruled the 90s.
  • Taufik Hidayat (INA): The “Prince of Istora” whose backhand became folklore.
  • Lee Chong Wei (MAS): remarkably, a non-Indonesian who mastered the windy conditions of Istora to equal the record.
• The Queen of Jakarta (5 Titles):
  • Susi Susanti (INA): The Golden Bride dominated the late 80s and 90s, setting a benchmark for Women’s Singles that stands to this day.
• Mixed Doubles Supremacy (6 Titles):
  • Minarti Timur & Tri Kusharjanto (INA): This pair (playing with various partners but most successful together) made the Mixed Doubles discipline their own fortress during their prime.
• Men’s Doubles Legacy:
  • The pairing of Ricky Subagja & Rexy Mainaky and later Minarti Timur (in mixed) set the standard. More recently, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon & Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (The Minions) created a modern dynasty, though they often found the Indonesia Open title elusive compared to other events, highlighting the tournament’s immense difficulty.

Conclusion

The 2026 Indonesia Open is not just a tournament; it is a festival of national pride and world-class athleticism. With US$1.45 million on the line, the return of the Djarum Foundation’s organizational prowess, and the world’s best players converging on Jakarta, it is poised to be the most spectacular edition of the decade.