2026 Indonesia Open

The 2026 Indonesia Open promises to be a watershed moment in the BWF World Tour calendar. As a Super 1000 event, it has always been the jewel of the badminton world—often dubbed the “unofficial World Championship” due to its electric atmosphere and prestige. However, the 2026 edition is set to carry extra weight with the historic return of the Djarum Foundation as a primary strategic partner and organizer, signaling a revival of the “golden era” of event presentation in Jakarta.

Tournament Essentials

• Official Title: Polytron Indonesia Open 2026 (BWF World Tour Super 1000)
• Dates: June 2 – June 7, 2026
• Host City: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Venue: Istora Senayan (Istora Gelora Bung Karno)
• Prize Money: US$1,450,000 (Approx. IDR 23 Billion)
• Ranking Points:
  • Winner: 12,000 points
  • Runner-up: 10,200 points
  • Semifinalists: 8,400 points

The Comeback of Djarum Foundation

The most significant storyline for the 2026 edition is the official return of the Djarum Foundation (Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation) as a main sponsor and event organizer (EO) after a six-year hiatus.

From 2004 to 2013, the “Djarum Indonesia Open” was globally recognized as the best-organized badminton tournament, famed for turning a sporting event into a family entertainment spectacle. Their departure left a gap in the tournament’s presentation style. Their return in 2026 is expected to:

1. Elevate the Fan Experience: Djarum is known for integrating live music, cultural bazaars, and interactive fan zones that rival major music festivals.
2. Boost Production Quality: Expect world-class lighting, court presentation, and broadcast values.
3. Support Local Talent: Their involvement often correlates with a renewed focus on scouting and supporting young Indonesian shuttlers on the big stage.

2025 Edition Recap: The Defending Champions

To understand the stakes of 2026, we must look at the reigning kings and queens who conquered Jakarta in 2025. These athletes will enter the 2026 tournament with a target on their backs.

• Men’s Singles (MS): Anders Antonsen (Denmark)
  • The Feat: Antonsen finally captured the Istora crown after years of being a crowd favorite, showcasing his tactical brilliance to defeat his opponents in a thrilling final.
• Women’s Singles (WS): An Se-young (South Korea)
  • The Feat: Continuing her dominance, An Se-young proved too consistent and physically superior, cementing her status as the era’s defining female player.
• Men’s Doubles (MD): Kim Won-ho & Seo Seung-jae (South Korea)
  • The Feat: The Koreans shocked the home favorites and top seeds with their speed and defense, proving to be the most versatile pair on tour.
• Women’s Doubles (WD): Liu Shengshu & Tan Ning (China)
  • The Feat: This young Chinese pair overwhelmed veterans with their sheer power and attacking style, signaling a changing of the guard in women’s doubles.
• Mixed Doubles (XD): Thom Gicquel & Delphine Delrue (France)
  • The Feat: A historic win for Europe in a discipline usually dominated by Asia. Their victory was a masterclass in tactical discipline and composure.

Full Competition Schedule

The tournament follows a standard six-day progression from the opening rounds to the finals, though specific BWF regulations regarding players coming from the Singapore Open have created a unique split in the first round.

Here is the official daily schedule for the Polytron Indonesia Open 2026:

Date	Day	Event Round	Courts	Doors Open	Start Time
June 2	Tuesday	First Round (Top Half)	3	08:30	09:00
June 3	Wednesday	First Round (Bottom Half)	3	08:30	09:00
June 4	Thursday	Round of 16 (R16)	3	08:30	09:00
June 5	Friday	Quarterfinals (Session I)	2	08:30	09:00
June 5	Friday	Quarterfinals (Session II)	2	13:00	13:30
June 6	Saturday	Semifinals	1	11:30	12:00
June 7	Sunday	Finals	1	13:30	14:00

Key Scheduling Notes:

• The Singapore Factor: A specific rule states that all finalists from the KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2026 (which concludes just before this tournament) will receive a slight reprieve. They will play their first-round matches on Wednesday, June 3, rather than Tuesday .
• Draw Dynamics: Fans should be aware of the “Seed Withdrawal Move.” If a seeded player withdraws, positions in the draw may shift significantly during the Team Managers’ Meeting. A player initially placed in the Top Half could be moved to the Bottom Half (and vice versa) to balance the bracket.
• Session Splits: Friday features a split session. Morning ticket holders will see the first batch of quarterfinals, while afternoon attendees will catch the rest, starting at 13:30.

Where to Watch: Broadcast Schedule

For fans unable to make the trip to Jakarta, extensive coverage is available. The tournament will be produced for international broadcast, featuring high-definition feeds from multiple courts.

Globally, the BWF provides feeds to various networks. However, for Indonesian fans, the broadcasting rights have been secured by RCTI. The network will air the matches live starting at 09:00 WIB daily .

Here is the official TV Broadcast production schedule:

Date	Day	TV Courts	Matches (C1)	Matches (C)	Start Time
June 2	Tuesday	2	10	–	09:00
June 3	Wednesday	2	10	8	09:00
June 4	Thursday	2	10	8	09:00
June 5	Friday (AM)	2	2	2	09:00
June 5	Friday (PM)	2	8	6	13:30
June 6	Saturday	1	10	–	12:00
June 7	Sunday	1	5	–	14:00

In addition to the international feed, domestic-only TV matches may be produced for the local audience. Official communication regarding these additional matches will be provided at the Team Managers’ Meeting. For cord-cutters, live streaming is available via Vidio and Vision+.

Prize Money Breakdown: US$ 1.45 Million

Money talks, and in 2026, it is shouting. The total prize fund of $1,450,000 is distributed down to the Last 32 round, ensuring that even players who lose their first match take home a paycheck.

However, there is a distinct financial hierarchy. Interestingly, Doubles pairs take home a higher total purse amount than Singles winners, though this is split between two athletes.

Singles Prize Money (Men’s & Women’s):

• Winner: $101,500
• Runner-up: $49,300
• Semi-finalist: $20,300
• Quarter-finalist: $7,975
• Last 16: $4,350
• Last 32: $1,450

Doubles Prize Money (MD, WD, XD) – Per Pair:

• Winners: $107,300
• Runners-up: $50,750
• Semi-finalists: $20,300
• Quarter-finalists: $9,062.50
• Last 16: $4,712.50
• Last 32: $1,450

Note: No local tax is applied to the prize money.

A Brief History: Titans of the Indonesia Open

Established in 1982, the Indonesia Open is one of the oldest and most historic tournaments in Asia. It has witnessed the evolution of badminton from the 15-point scoring system to the current rally-point era.

The tournament is famous for being incredibly difficult to defend; the raucous crowd can lift home players to impossible victories or crumble the focus of visiting legends.

Most Successful Players & Pairs

The “Hall of Fame” for the Indonesia Open is dominated by legends who thrived on the chaotic energy of Jakarta:

• Men’s Singles Kings (6 Titles):
  • Ardy Wiranata (INA): The defensive wall of Indonesia ruled the 90s.
  • Taufik Hidayat (INA): The “Prince of Istora” whose backhand became folklore.
  • Lee Chong Wei (MAS): remarkably, a non-Indonesian who mastered the windy conditions of Istora to equal the record.
• The Queen of Jakarta (5 Titles):
  • Susi Susanti (INA): The Golden Bride dominated the late 80s and 90s, setting a benchmark for Women’s Singles that stands to this day.
• Mixed Doubles Supremacy (6 Titles):
  • Minarti Timur & Tri Kusharjanto (INA): This pair (playing with various partners but most successful together) made the Mixed Doubles discipline their own fortress during their prime.
• Men’s Doubles Legacy:
  • The pairing of Ricky Subagja & Rexy Mainaky and later Minarti Timur (in mixed) set the standard. More recently, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon & Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (The Minions) created a modern dynasty, though they often found the Indonesia Open title elusive compared to other events, highlighting the tournament’s immense difficulty.

Conclusion

The 2026 Indonesia Open is not just a tournament; it is a festival of national pride and world-class athleticism. With US$1.45 million on the line, the return of the Djarum Foundation’s organizational prowess, and the world’s best players converging on Jakarta, it is poised to be the most spectacular edition of the decade.