2026 Orléans Masters

As the badminton world looks toward the heart of France, the 2026 Orléans Masters Badminton presented by VICTOR is set to captivate fans from March 17 to 22, 2026. Hosted at the historic Palais des Sports Jean Ros in Orléans, this HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300 event continues its legacy of showcasing elite international talent.

Tournament Overview and Venue

The Palais des Sports Jean Ros, situated at 14 rue Eugène Vignat, will once again serve as the battlefield for over 200 matches featuring players from more than 40 nations. The arena’s main hall, standing 16 meters high, can accommodate up to 3,000 spectators, creating a “super-charged” atmosphere for both local fans and international visitors.

Tournament Schedule

The six-day event follows the standard high-stakes progression of a BWF World Tour tournament:

• Tuesday, March 17 (09:00): Qualifying rounds for Men’s Singles (MS), Women’s Singles (WS), and Mixed Doubles (XD) begin in the morning. Later in the afternoon at 16:00, the initial Main Draw matches (Round of 32) for Men’s Doubles (MD) and Women’s Doubles (WD) commence.
• Wednesday, March 18 (09:00): The Round of 32 continues for the full Main Draw across all categories, including the remaining singles and mixed doubles qualifiers.
• Thursday, March 19 (12:00): The Round of 16 begins at noon as the competition intensifies for those vying for a spot in the later rounds.
• Friday, March 20 (10:00 & 17:00): The Quarter-finals are split into two sessions, with the first starting at 10:00 and the second evening session beginning at 17:00.
• Saturday, March 21 (10:00 & 17:00): Semi-finals follow a similar two-session format, with matches starting at 10:00 and 17:00.
• Sunday, March 22 (11:00): The championship concludes with the Finals for all five categories (Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles) starting at 11:00.

Prize Money and Ranking Points

With a total prize pool of US$250,000, the Orléans Masters offers significant financial rewards and crucial ranking points. The distribution for winners and finalists is as follows:

• Singles (Men’s & Women’s): The winner will receive $18,000, while the finalist takes home $9,120.
• Doubles (Men’s, Women’s & Mixed): The winning pairs will earn $18,960, with the finalists receiving $9,120.

Beyond the prize money, players compete for 7,000 ranking points awarded to winners, making it a vital stop for shuttlers looking to climb the BWF World Rankings.

TV Broadcast and Digital Access

For fans unable to attend in person, the Orléans Masters provides extensive coverage options. The international TV broadcast schedule highlights the final two days of competition:

• Saturday, March 21 (Semi-finals): 5 matches starting at 10:00 and 3 matches starting at 17:00.
• Sunday, March 22 (Finals): 5 championship matches starting at 11:00.

Players to Watch

The 2026 edition is expected to feature a mix of established stars and rising talents. Notable names mentioned in early seeds and entries include French favorite Alex Lanier, along with international contenders like Chou Tien-chen, Nozomi Okuhara, and the doubles pair Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen. As the ninth tournament of the 2026 BWF World Tour, the Orléans Masters remains an unmissable fixture for the global badminton community.