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2025 Hong Kong Open
September 9 - September 14
Table of Contents
Last Updated on September 14, 2025
The 2025 Hong Kong Open (also known as the Li-Ning Hong Kong Open 2025 for sponsorship reasons) was a badminton tournament held at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Kowloon, Hong Kong, from September 9 to September 14, 2025. It was the 35th edition of the Hong Kong Open championships, and part of the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournaments on the 2025 BWF World Tour. This event featured a total prize fund of US$500,000.1“2025 Hong Kong Open Prospectus”. BWF Corporate. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
The 2025 Hong Kong Open was awarded the prestigious “M” Mark by Hong Kong’s Major Sports Events Committee. This designation recognized the tournament’s potential to deliver top-tier sports and economic benefits to the city. The tournament received enhanced government support. The “M” Mark aimed to develop world-class events that would boost tourism, stimulate local business, and solidify Hong Kong’s reputation as a hub for major international sports. The committee stated the championships would feature Olympic medalists and world-ranked players, attracting overseas fans and providing a significant boost to local hospitality and retail sectors.2“Hong Kong Badminton Open 2025 awarded prestigious “M” Mark status”. The Standard. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
A Tale of Two Comebacks
The opening rounds of the 2025 Hong Kong Open were defined by stunning upsets and the continued struggles of returning champions, as both Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia and Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen saw their comeback bids end prematurely.
In an all-Malaysian clash that signaled a potential changing of the guard, world No. 23 Leong Jun Hao delivered a commanding performance to defeat his more illustrious compatriot, Lee Zii Jia, 21-16, 21-16. The 40-minute victory was a landmark achievement for Leong, marking his first win over the former world No. 2 in four attempts. For Zii Jia, the loss extends a deeply frustrating run as he continues to search for form and confidence following a lengthy injury layoff that has seen his real-time ranking plummet to No. 47.
The shockwaves continued moments later as Japan’s Kodai Naraoka emphatically showed defending champion Viktor Axelsen the door. Playing his first competitive match in six months following back surgery, and further hampered by a fever the previous week, Axelsen was uncharacteristically off-pace. Naraoka capitalized ruthlessly, securing a decisive 21-15, 21-7 victory in just 37 minutes. Despite the disappointing end to his long-awaited return, the Olympic bronze medalist exemplified true sportsmanship, generously praising his opponent’s performance in defeat.
However, in a stunning twist of fate, Naraoka’s triumph was short-lived. The very next day, the young Japanese star was himself on the receiving end of a major upset. India’s emerging talent, Ayush Shetty, mounted a brilliant comeback after dropping the first game to overwhelm the fifth seed 19-21, 21-12, 21-14 in 72 minutes. This result served as a powerful reminder of the relentless and unpredictable nature of modern badminton, where no star, regardless of their previous day’s glory, is safe from an early exit.
The Five-Title Triumph
The 2025 Hong Kong Open was a historic event for Chinese badminton, as the nation’s players achieved a remarkable clean sweep of all five titles. This dominant performance saw China capture the men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles crowns. This achievement is particularly significant as it marks the first time a single country has won all available titles at a BWF World Tour event (Super 300 or higher) since the tour’s inception in 2018.
While the 2025 Hong Kong Open sweep is a first for the BWF World Tour era, it is not the first time China has accomplished this feat at the Hong Kong Open. The nation previously achieved a clean sweep of all titles at this very tournament in 2012. This was a pivotal year for Chinese badminton, with the team also dominating the Olympic Games in London.
The 2012 victory was a testament to the golden generation of Chinese players, including legendary figures who went on to achieve global recognition. Before that, China also swept the Hong Kong Open titles in both 2011 and 2005. These repeated instances of total dominance at the Hong Kong Open suggest a strong historical connection and a consistent ability for China to perform at its peak in this particular tournament.
Tournament Details
| Date | 9–14 September |
| Edition | 35th |
| Draw | 32MS / 32WS / 32MD / 32WD / 32XD |
| Category | Super 500 |
| Prize Money | US$500,000 |
| Location | Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| Venue | Hong Kong Coliseum |
Tournament Links
Champions
| Men’s Singles | 🇨🇳 Li Shifeng |
| Women’s Singles | 🇨🇳 Wang Zhiyi |
| Men’s Doubles | 🇨🇳 Liang Weikeng 🇨🇳 Wang Chang |
| Women’s Doubles | 🇨🇳 Jia Yifan 🇨🇳 Zhang Shuxian |
| Mixed Doubles | 🇨🇳 Feng Yanzhe 🇨🇳 Huang Dongping |
Schedule
All times are local, Hong Kong Time (UTC+8).
| Dates | Round | Start Time |
| Tuesday, Sept 9 Match Schedule | All Qualifying Rounds | 9:00 AM |
| Round of 32 (MD and WD except qualifiers) | 4:00 PM | |
| Wednesday, Sept 10 Match Schedule | Round of 32 & MD/WD Qualifiers | 9:00 AM |
| 6:30 PM | ||
| Thursday, Sept 11 Match Schedule | Round of 16 | 9:00 AM |
| 6:30 PM | ||
| Friday, Sept 12 Match Schedule | Quarter-Finals | 11:00 AM |
| 6:30 PM | ||
| Saturday, Sept 13 Match Schedule | Semi-Finals | 10:00 AM |
| 5:00 PM | ||
| Sunday, Sept 14 Match Schedule | Finals | 2:00 PM |
Venue
The Hong Kong Coliseum stands as the iconic and premier indoor arena in Hong Kong, a majestic fixture on the Hung Hom waterfront renowned for its distinctive inverted pyramid design. Affectionately dubbed the “Hung Hom Arena,” this legendary venue has been the epicenter of major sporting events, international concerts, and large-scale entertainment since its opening in 1983. Its unique architecture and towering presence have made it a landmark recognized throughout Asia.
With a substantial seating capacity of approximately 12,500, the Coliseum is celebrated for its electrifying and intimate atmosphere. The multi-purpose design ensures excellent sightlines from every seat, making spectators feel close to the action whether they are courtside or in the highest tier. This unique energy, fueled by passionate and knowledgeable fans, is considered a defining characteristic of any event held within its walls. The venue is a favored stop on the international circuit for world-class athletes and performers alike, who relish the challenge and thrill of competing in such a prestigious setting.
Equipped with top-tier facilities, the Coliseum meets the highest global standards for lighting, acoustics, and broadcasting, ensuring a superb experience for both live and remote audiences. More than just a building, the Hong Kong Coliseum is a hallowed ground of spectacle and competition, solidifying its enduring legacy as the “Stage of Champions.”
TV Broadcast Schedule
Televised coverage for this event is limited to Court 1, typically airing on the final four days of competition. For complete access to all matches from all courts, the BWF TV YouTube channel offers live streaming from the tournament’s opening day. Here’s a detailed broadcast schedule:
| Dates | No. of Matches | Start Time |
| Thursday, Sept 11 | 8 | 9:00 AM |
| Friday, Sept 12 | 5 | 11:00 AM |
| 3 | 6:30 PM | |
| Saturday, Sept 13 | 5 | 10:00 AM |
| 5 | 5:00 PM | |
| Sunday, Sept 14 | 5 | 2:00 PM |
Prize Money Distribution
The 2025 Hong Kong Open has significantly elevated its status with a substantial prize money increase, boasting a total purse of US$500,000. This represents a major 19% boost from the previous edition’s US$420,000, underlining the tournament’s growing prestige on the international circuit. The champions will be handsomely rewarded, with the singles winner claiming a $37,500 prize. The winning doubles pair will split a larger pot of $39,500. However, in a reflection of the tour’s competitive nature, players who are eliminated in the qualifying rounds or the main draw’s first round (round of 32) will not receive any monetary compensation.
| Stage | Singles | Doubles |
| Champion | $37,500 | $39,500 |
| Runner-up | $19,000 | $19,000 |
| Semifinals | $7,250 | $7,000 |
| Quarterfinals | $3,000 | $3,625 |
| Round of 16 | $1,750 | $1,875 |
Notable Comebacks
- Lee Zii Jia
- Viktor Axelsen
Notable Withdrawals
- Kunlavut Vitidsarn (MS)
- Fajar Alfian / Muhammad Rian Ardianto (MD)
- Chen Tang Jie / Toh Ee Wei (XD)
Hong Kong Open Status on BWF World Tour
| Year | Status | Prize Money |
| 2018 | Super 500 | US$400,000 |
| 2019 | Super 500 | US$400,000 |
| Not held | – | |
| Not held | – | |
| Not held | – | |
| 2023 | Super 500 | US$420,000 |
| 2024 | Super 500 | US$420,000 |
| 2025 | Super 500 | US$500,000 |
| 2026 | Super 500 | TBC |