2026 Badminton Asia Championships
April 7 – April 12 CST
The continent’s finest shuttlers are set to descend upon the “Olympic City” of Ningbo as the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) returns for another high-stakes edition. As one of the most prestigious individual events on the badminton calendar, the 2026 championships promise a week of world-class intensity, carrying significant weight for world rankings and continental bragging rights.
Organized by Badminton Asia and hosted by the Chinese Badminton Association, the event serves as a focal point for the sport’s powerhouses—China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia—to crown the true kings and queens of Asian badminton.
Tournament Date and Venue
The 2026 championships will take place during Week 15 of the BWF calendar, spanning six days of elite competition from April 7th (Tuesday) to April 12th (Sunday), 2026.
For the third consecutive year, the prestigious Ningbo Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in Zhejiang Province, China, will serve as the battleground. This state-of-the-art facility is renowned for its world-class infrastructure, capable of hosting thousands of fans in an electric atmosphere.
- Venue: Ningbo Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium
- Address: No. 1280, Yunfei Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo City, China
- Courts: 4 Competition Courts
Tournament Schedule
The event follows a rigorous knockout format. While the Team Managers Meeting and Umpires Briefing take place on Monday, April 6th, the on-court action begins Tuesday morning.
| Date | Time (Local) | Round |
| April 7 (Tue) | 09:00 | Qualification & Mixed Doubles Preliminaries |
| April 8 (Wed) | 09:00 | Preliminaries (Round of 32) |
| April 9 (Thu) | 11:00 | Preliminaries (Round of 16) |
| April 10 (Fri) | 11:00 | Quarter-Finals |
| April 11 (Sat) | 10:00 & 17:00 | Semi-Finals |
| April 12 (Sun) | 14:00 | Championship Finals |
Note: The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the Referee, particularly to accommodate television coverage.
Prize Money Structure
A total prize purse of USD 550,000 is on the line, distributed across all five categories. This substantial fund reflects the tournament’s status as a top-tier continental event. Please note that all winnings are subject to a 20% local tax.
Singles (Men’s & Women’s)
Per Player
- Champion: US$ 38,500
- Runner-up: US$ 18,700
- Semi-finalists: US$ 7,700
- Quarter-finalists: US$ 3,025
- Last 16: US$ 1,650
- Last 32: US$ 550
Doubles (Men’s, Women’s & Mixed)
Per Pair
- Champion: US$ 40,700
- Runner-up: US$ 19,250
- Semi-finalists: US$ 7,700
- Quarter-finalists: US$ 3,437.50
- Last 16: US$ 1,787.50
- Last 32: US$ 550
Stars to Watch
As of early 2026, the Asian circuit is more competitive than ever. Here are the titans expected to dominate the courts in Ningbo:
Men’s Singles: The Battle of the Titans
The spotlight shines brightly on China’s Shi Yuqi, who entered 2026 ranked as the World No. 1. However, he faces a massive challenge from Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the reigning world-beater who recently overtook the top spot in March 2026. Fans should also keep an eye on India’s Lakshya Sen, fresh off a giant-killing run at the All England Open, and the ever-dangerous Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.
Women’s Singles: The “Queen” vs. The Field
South Korea’s An Se-young remains the woman to beat. Having maintained a stranglehold on the No. 1 ranking throughout 2025 and into 2026, her defensive mastery will be tested by China’s Chen Yufei and Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi. This category is expected to be a tactical masterclass in endurance.
The Doubles Powerhouses
- Men’s Doubles: The Chinese pair of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang will look to defend their home turf against the lightning-fast rotations of Malaysian and Indonesian pairs.
- Women’s Doubles: South Korea’s Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee are currently the pair to watch, having secured the World Tour Finals title at the end of last season. They will face stiff opposition from the deep roster of Chinese and Japanese duos.
- Mixed Doubles: This remains a stronghold for China, with veteran pairings often finding their best form in front of the Ningbo crowd.
Event Entries and Draw
The competition features a limited and elite field to ensure the highest quality of play. Each category (Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, and all Doubles) allows for a Main Draw of 28, with an additional 4 qualifiers emerging from a 12-slot qualifying draw.
The 2026 Badminton Asia Championships is more than just a tournament; it is a preview of the power shift in global badminton. With Ningbo’s history of hosting impeccable events, April 2026 is set to be a landmark month for fans worldwide.