Badminton enthusiasts can rejoice as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially confirmed the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This announcement marks the tenth consecutive time that the fast-paced and dynamic racquet sport will feature on the prestigious Olympic programme.
The IOC’s Executive Board, which approved the event programme and athlete quotas on Wednesday, April 9th, cemented badminton as one of the 31 sports set to captivate audiences in Los Angeles. Continuing its established format, badminton will offer five medal events: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. A total of 172 athletes, comprising an equal split of 86 male and 86 female competitors, will vie for Olympic glory on the American stage.
Badminton first served its way into the Olympic arena at the Barcelona 1992 Games. While the debut edition featured four medal events, the sport has consistently showcased all five disciplines since the subsequent Olympics. Its enduring presence underscores its global appeal and thrilling athleticism.
The Los Angeles 2028 Games will witness an expansion in the overall medal events, boasting a total of 351, which is 22 more than the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Notably, these Games will make history by ensuring that all team sports have an equal number of men’s and women’s teams participating. This commitment to gender equality was a central tenet in determining the athlete quota and event distribution. Of the 351 medal events, 161 are designated for women, 165 for men, and 25 are mixed events.
The IOC Executive Board’s decision aligns with the recommendations put forth by the Olympic Programme Commission and the guiding principles established in 2023. These principles emphasized the need for the Games to be gender-equal, possess global appeal, be mindful of costs and complexity, and prioritize the athlete experience.
With its continued Olympic presence secured, badminton is set to once again deliver thrilling rallies, breathtaking athleticism, and unforgettable moments to a global audience in Los Angeles in 2028.
View the full program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics