2026 German Open

As the badminton world looks ahead to the 2026 season, one of the most prestigious stops on the European leg of the tour returns to Germany. The Yonex German Open 2026, a prominent fixture of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300, is set to bring world-class action to Mülheim an der Ruhr. With a rich history and a field packed with emerging talent and established veterans, this year’s edition promises to be a thrilling showcase of speed, skill, and endurance.

Tournament Venue and Dates

The 2026 championships will be held from February 24 to March 1, 2026. For another year, the Westenergie Sporthalle in Mülheim an der Ruhr will serve as the battleground for the world’s best players. Known for its intimate atmosphere and passionate fans, the venue has long been the home of this historic event.

Expected Stars to Watch

The Men’s Singles (MS) acceptance list reveals a highly competitive field led by some of Asia and Europe’s top-ranked athletes. Based on the initial M&Q report, fans should keep a close eye on the following stars:

• Li Shifeng (China): Ranked #5 in the seeding ranking, he enters as one of the heavy favorites for the title.
• Chou Tien-chen (Chinese Taipei): The veteran campaigner continues to be a force on the world stage, ranked #6.
• Christo Popov (France): Leading the European charge at #7, Popov is known for his explosive style.
• Loh Kean Yew (Singapore): The former World Champion remains a major threat and a fan favorite.
• Lakshya Sen (India): A dangerous competitor who has proven he can beat anyone on his day.
• Lee Zi Jia (Malaysia): Despite appearing in the qualifying list, the Malaysian star remains one of the most watchable players in the circuit.

Tournament Schedule

The tournament follows a traditional six-day format:

Date	Event	Round	Courts	Doors Open	Start Time
Tuesday 24 Feb 2026	MS/WS/MD/WD/XD Qualification	Qualification	4	08:30	09:00
Tuesday 24 Feb 2026	MD/WD (Except Qualifiers)	R32	–	–	Not before 14:00
Wednesday 25 Feb 2026	MS/WS/XD; MD/WD (Qualifiers only)	R32	4	09:30	10:00
Thursday 26 Feb 2026	All Events	R16	4	12:30	13:00
Friday 27 Feb 2026	All Events	Quarterfinals	3	14:00	15:00
Saturday 28 Feb 2026	All Events	Semifinals	2	10:30	12:00
Sunday 01 Mar 2026	All Events	Finals	1	10:30	12:00

Notes:

• MS = Men’s Singles, WS = Women’s Singles, MD = Men’s Doubles, WD = Women’s Doubles, XD = Mixed Doubles.
• The “Courts” column shows the number of courts in use for that session.

Prize Money Distribution

The Yonex German Open 2026 offers a total prize purse of US$250,000. The distribution for the top performers is as follows:

Event	Winner	Finalist	Semi-finals	Quarter-finals	Last 16
Singles	$18,750	$9,500	$3,625	$1,500	$875
Doubles	$19,750	$9,500	$3,500	$1,812.50	$937.50

Note: All amounts are in dollars. Prize money is subject to a 15% German tax levy and a subsequent 5.5% Solidarity Tax.

A Brief History and Legacy

The German Open is one of the oldest and most respected tournaments in badminton history. Organized by the Vermarktungsgesellschaft Badminton Deutschland (VBD) for the German Badminton Association, it has served as a critical platform for players to gain points and prestige. As a Super 300 event, it often serves as a “springboard” for rising stars looking to break into the top tier of the BWF World Tour.

As Mülheim an der Ruhr prepares to welcome the international badminton community once again, the 2026 Yonex German Open stands ready to add another golden chapter to its long-standing legacy.