2026 Azerbaijan International

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is set to solidify its reputation as a global sports hub as it hosts the 2026 Azerbaijan International. Part of the Badminton Europe Elite Circuit, this International Challenge tournament will gather top-tier professional athletes and rising stars from across the globe. This event serves as a significant milestone for the region, especially following Baku’s designation as the World Capital of Sports for 2026.

Tournament Dates and Venue

The competition is scheduled to take place from February 3 to February 8, 2026. The designated battlefield for this prestigious event is the Politechnic University Sport Hall, located at Ayna Sultanova 13 in Baku. This facility is equipped to handle the high-octane requirements of international badminton, featuring four Yonex courts for the competition.

Prize Money Distribution

Athletes will be competing for a total prize pool of USD 20,000. The organizers have specified that the prize money will be paid in cash during the closing ceremony, with no taxes deducted. The distribution across the five categories (Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles) is as follows:

Rank	MS / WS	MD / WD / XD (Per Pair)
Winner	$1,600	$1,800
Runner-up	$960	$1,200
Semi-finalist	$400	$500
Quarter-finalist	$160	–

Tournament Schedule

The tournament features a rigorous six-day schedule, starting with qualifying rounds and culminating in the grand finals:

• February 3 (Tuesday): Qualifying rounds for all categories begin at 09:00.
• February 4 (Wednesday): Completion of qualifying rounds and the start of the Main Draw.
• February 5 (Thursday): Continuation of the Main Draw.
• February 6 (Friday): Round of 16 matches starting at 10:00.
• February 7 (Saturday): Quarter-finals followed by Semi-finals start from 10:00.
• February 8 (Sunday): Final matches for all categories starting at 12:00.

Relevant Tournament Information

The Azerbaijan International 2026 is organized by a coalition including the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Badminton Europe (BEC), and the Azerbaijan Badminton Federation. To ensure a professional environment, BWF-certified referees and medical services, including on-court doctors and physiotherapists, will be available throughout the event.

For participants and fans, Baku offers a stunning backdrop where modern architectural wonders like the Heydar Aliyev Centre meet historical sites such as the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. With high stakes and world-class competition, this tournament is poised to be a highlight of the 2026 badminton calendar.