BAM Proposes Moving Malaysia Open to April for 2027–2030 Cycle

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9, 2026 – The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has officially requested the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to reschedule the prestigious Malaysia Open, proposing a move from its traditional January slot to April or May for the upcoming 2027–2030 tournament cycle.

BAM Secretary General Datuk Kenny Goh confirmed the submission, stating that the national body is currently awaiting a decision from the world governing body. If approved, the change would end the Malaysia Open’s current status as the season’s curtain-raiser, a role it has held since 2023.

Seeking a Strategic Shift

“We have requested that the Malaysian Open be shifted from the start of the year to April or May from 2027 to 2030,” Kenny Goh told reporters earlier this week. “We are waiting for BWF’s approval. Hopefully, they will agree to our request.”

The Malaysia Open, currently a Super 1000 event, has kicked off the BWF World Tour in early January for the past four years (2023–2026). While this slot guarantees high visibility as the first major event of the year, it has increasingly come under scrutiny regarding player welfare.

Addressing Player Fatigue

The timing of the request aligns with growing concerns from top shuttlers about the relentless pace of the international calendar. Just days ago, Malaysia’s top men’s doubles shuttler, Aaron Chia, publicly suggested that the Super 1000 event should be held later in the year.

Chia cited fatigue, noting that the short break between the season-ending World Tour Finals in December and the Malaysia Open in early January leaves elite players with little time for recovery or pre-season training. He suggested the season should instead begin with lower-tier Super 300 or Super 100 events to allow top players to ease back into competition.

However, Kenny clarified that BAM’s proposal was not a knee-jerk reaction to recent player comments.

“Our request has nothing to do with what Aaron said. We already made the request to BWF last May,” Kenny explained, emphasizing that the association had proactively identified the need for a calendar adjustment well in advance.

Winds of Change for BWF Calendar

The BWF is currently in the process of revamping the tournament calendar for the next four-year cycle (2027–2030). Beyond the Malaysia Open, other potential changes reportedly under consideration include:

• Longer Durations: Expanding Super 1000 tournaments to 11 days (up from the current 6) to reduce match congestion.
• Scoring System: A potential permanent switch to the 11×5 or 15-point scoring system to shorten match times, a format currently being tested in lower-tier events.

For now, the Malaysia Open continues to run in January for the 2026 season, but fans and players alike will be watching closely for the BWF’s official announcement later this year to see if the historic tournament will find a new home in the spring.