How to Watch the Malaysia Open 2026 Live

The 2026 BWF World Tour season is kicking off with a bang. As one of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar, the Malaysia Open 2026 promises high-octane action, world-class rallies, and the electric atmosphere of the Axiata Arena. As a Super 1000 event, this tournament attracts the absolute best players in the world, all vying for crucial ranking points and a massive prize pool right at the start of the year.

For badminton fans around the globe, missing a match is not an option. Whether you are cheering for the home favorites in Kuala Lumpur or supporting European powerhouses, knowing exactly where to tune in is essential.

Below is the definitive broadcasting guide for the 2026 Malaysia Open, running from January 6 to January 11, 2026.

1. Host Nation Coverage: Malaysia

For the home crowd who can’t make it to the stadium, the local coverage is extensive. As the host nation, Malaysia ensures that every smash and net kill is accessible across multiple platforms.

• Broadcaster: Astro
• TV Channels: You can catch the live action on Astro Arena, Astro Badminton, and Astro Badminton 2. These dedicated channels often provide pre-match analysis and post-match interviews tailored to the Malaysian audience.
• Streaming (OTT): For fans on the go, the tournament is available on Sooka, Astro’s streaming service. This is perfect for watching on mobile devices or tablets if you are stuck at work or commuting during the matches.

2. Southeast Asia: The Heartland of Badminton

Southeast Asia remains the pulsing heart of the badminton world, and broadcasters in the region have secured comprehensive rights to ensure fans don’t miss a beat.

Indonesia

Indonesian fans, known for being the loudest and most passionate in the world, have two primary ways to watch.

• Digital/Streaming: Vidio continues to be the go-to platform. The service usually allows you to choose between different courts, ensuring you can follow specific Indonesian representatives even if they aren’t on the main TV court.
• Satellite TV: For those preferring traditional television, NEX Parabola will broadcast the event on NEX SPORT 3 HD.

Singapore

Singaporean fans have options across two major providers, ensuring coverage regardless of your subscription.

• SingTel: Tune into mio Sports or mio Sports 2.
• StarHub: Coverage is available on Hub Sports 1 and Hub Sports 2.

Thailand

With Thai players consistently rising in the rankings, local interest is at an all-time high.

• Broadcaster: True Visions
• Channels: Live coverage will be aired on True Sports 7 and True Sports 2.

3. South Asia Coverage: India and Beyond

Badminton’s popularity in India has skyrocketed over the last decade. The broadcasting rights for this region cover a massive territory labeled as “Pan India.”

This coverage block applies to India, Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan.

• Digital Streaming: The tournament will be streamed on JioHotstar. This platform is essential for cord-cutters and fans who prefer watching on mobile apps.
• Television: Linear TV coverage is provided by Star Sports, specifically on the Star Sports 3 channel.
• Broadcaster Entity: The rights are managed by Jiostar, ensuring a unified broadcast feed across these South Asian nations.

4. East Asia: Powerhouses of the Sport

East Asia dominates the badminton circuit, and the broadcast options reflect the massive demand in these territories.

China

As a badminton superpower, China offers perhaps the most diverse range of viewing options, catering to digital natives and TV viewers alike.

• BesTV: Available across multiple formats including Digital Cable, IPTV, and OTT platforms.
• Streaming Giants: You can watch via Huya (Huya Badminton), Migu (Migu Sports), and Youku (Youku Sports).
• Social & Mobile: Coverage extends to the CBA Video System (WeChat) and CBSAT (CMC Mobile), making it incredibly easy to watch via social media apps.

Chinese Taipei

Fans supporting heavyweights like Chou Tien-chen or the top men’s doubles pairs can tune in via ELTA.

• Channels: ELTA SPORTS 2 and ELTA SPORTS 3.

Hong Kong & Macau

• Hong Kong: PCCW holds the rights, broadcasting on Now Sports 1 (Channel 631) and Now Sports Plus (Channel 680).
• Macau: The tournament is available via TDM, accessible on the TDM Official Website, TDM App, and the TDM Sport TV channel.

Korea

Korean fans can watch their doubles experts and singles stars on SPOTV Eclat, specifically via the SPOTV NOW platform.

5. European Coverage

Badminton has a fiercely loyal following in Europe, particularly in Denmark. Here is how European fans can catch the signal.

• Denmark: The European badminton capital. TV2 provides coverage via TV 2 Play (streaming) and the TV 2 Sport channel.
• France: L’Equipe offers access via L’Equipe Live (OTT) and their linear channel, La chaîne L’Equipe.
• Germany: Coverage is provided by Sporteurope via their streaming portal, Sporteurope.tv.
• Poland: Fans can tune into Polsat, specifically on Polsat Sport Premium 3.
• Russia: Available on Match TV and Матч! Игра (Match! Igra).
• Ukraine: Broadcast by MAINCAST SPORT on the Maincast channel.

6. The Americas & Rest of the World

For fans waking up early or staying up late in the Western Hemisphere, here are your dedicated broadcasters.

United States (USA)

Badminton is growing in the US, and access is becoming more streamlined.

• Broadcaster: Court Sports Network
• Where to Watch: Content is available directly at courtsportsnetwork.com.

Africa

Badminton fans across the African continent can access the stream via Discover Sport.

• Website: DiscoverSport.com.

Worldwide & Global Channels

If your country is not listed above, or if you prefer international feeds, there are several global options:

• Star+ ESPN: A major broadcaster for international sports (check regional availability).
• Olympic Channel: Often provides highlights and specific match coverage.
• News Access: Snippets and highlights are distributed via SNTV and Reuters.
• BWF TV: The official BWF TV YouTube channel is the ultimate backup for many fans. Note: In countries where rights have been sold to a local broadcaster (like Astro in Malaysia or Vidio in Indonesia), the YouTube stream is usually geo-blocked. However, for territories without exclusive deals, this is often the best free way to watch.

Summary of Key Broadcast Dates

The Malaysia Open 2026 is a whirlwind week of badminton. While broadcast schedules are subject to change, the standard BWF Super 1000 schedule usually follows this flow:

• Tuesday, 6 Jan: Round of 32 (Part 1)
• Wednesday, 7 Jan: Round of 32 (Part 2)
• Thursday, 8 Jan: Round of 16
• Friday, 9 Jan: Quarter-finals
• Saturday, 10 Jan: Semi-finals
• Sunday, 11 Jan: Finals

Make sure to check your local broadcaster’s specific schedule, as court selection can vary. In the early rounds (Tuesday to Thursday), matches run simultaneously across 3 or 4 courts, so streaming apps (like Vidio, Sooka, or BWF TV) often offer a better experience than linear TV by allowing you to switch between courts.

Enjoy the tournament and the start of the 2026 season!