Indonesia Pulls Out of Hosting the 2026 BWF Junior Championships
JAKARTA – In a sudden turn of events, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced on Saturday that Indonesia has withdrawn from hosting the 2026 BWF World Junior Championships. The prestigious tournament, which showcases the globe’s top under-19 talent, was scheduled to take place in Surakarta (Solo), Central Java, in October 2026.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) officially relinquished its hosting rights on January 24, 2026, citing an inability to proceed with the event under current conditions.
PBSI: A “Difficult Decision”
In a statement released alongside the BWF announcement, PBSI expressed that the choice to step down as host was made after “careful consideration and comprehensive internal dialogue.”
“PBSI indicated that it was no longer able to stage the event and took the difficult decision in the best interests of all involved,” the statement read.
Bambang Roedyanto, Head of Foreign Relations for PBSI, elaborated that while the organization remains committed to international cooperation, the feasibility of organizing the 2026 championships had been compromised. “Relinquishing our rights to host is a difficult decision,” Roedyanto said, offering apologies to the BWF and the international badminton community for the disruption.
Bidding Process Reopened
With less than nine months until the tournament’s original start date of October 12, the BWF has moved quickly to find a replacement host. The world governing body announced the immediate reopening of the bidding process, inviting member associations to submit proposals.
“The BWF is now working to appoint a new host to ensure the successful continuation of the tournament,” the federation confirmed.
Key Dates for Potential Hosts:
- 28 February 2026: Deadline for bid applications.
- 15 March 2026: Completion of site visits and shortlist preparation.
- End of Q1 2026: Final decision by the BWF Council.
The BWF has noted it may proactively approach member nations with prior hosting experience or those in emerging markets to expedite the process.
Impact on the Calendar
The BWF World Junior Championships is the premier event for junior badminton, often serving as a launchpad for future Olympic and World Champions. Indonesia’s withdrawal leaves a significant gap in the 2026 badminton calendar, which had earmarked the event for mid-October.
This would have been a major international showcase for the city of Surakarta. The BWF Council is expected to announce the new host nation by late March 2026 to allow sufficient preparation time for the event.
