Where to Watch the 2026 BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals
The BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals represent the absolute pinnacle of international team badminton. Every two years, the world’s most elite men’s and women’s teams gather to compete for the prestigious Thomas Cup (Men’s) and Uber Cup (Women’s) trophies. For the 2026 edition, the tournament travels to the historic city of Horsens, Denmark, running from April 24 to May 3, 2026.
As badminton continues its rapid global expansion, the 2026 finals are set to be the most accessible in the sport’s history. With a broadcast network spanning every continent, fans from the badminton heartlands of Asia to the emerging markets in the Americas and Africa can witness every smash, drop shot, and rally. This article provides a deep dive into the viewing options for the 2026 tournament, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of the action.
The Host Nation and European Coverage
Denmark, a global powerhouse in badminton, serves as the perfect host for the 2026 finals. It is only fitting that the host nation provides comprehensive coverage through TV2, with matches airing on TV2 Sport and available for streaming on TV2 Play. Given Denmark’s strong history in the Thomas Cup, local interest is expected to be at an all-time high.
Across the rest of Europe, coverage is strategic and localized. In Germany, fans can tune in via SportEurope.tv, while Ukrainian fans can follow the action on Maincast. For viewers in Russia and Slovakia, Match TV and JOJ respectively will lead the broadcasts. European fans should note the Central European Summer Time (CEST) zone to ensure they catch the evening sessions, which often feature the most high-stakes matches.
Asia: The Epicenter of Badminton
Asia remains the dominant force in world badminton, and the broadcast infrastructure reflects this. In China, the scale of coverage is immense. Fans have a wealth of options including BesTV, Huya, Migu, Youku, and the traditional terrestrial giant CCTV-5. Interestingly, the CBA Video System via WeChat provides a mobile-first viewing experience for the tech-savvy Chinese audience.
In Southeast Asia, where badminton is often the national sport, the coverage is equally robust. In Indonesia, Vidio and NEX Parabola (NEX Sport 3 HD) will cater to millions of passionate supporters. In Malaysia, Astro and the streaming service Sooka will dedicate two channels (Astro Badminton 1 & 2) to ensure fans don’t miss their national heroes.
The Indian Subcontinent (Pan India) sees a major broadcasting presence through Jiostar. This coverage extends beyond India to include the Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan. Matches will be available on JioHotstar and across the Star Sports Select HD and SD channels.
The Americas and the Caribbean
One of the most expansive coverage zones for the 2026 Finals is the Americas. In the United States, the tournament will be accessible via a wide array of digital platforms including Amazon FireTV, DIRECTV, Sling Freestream, LocalNow, and Plex. The primary channel for US viewers will be Sports Illustrated TV, operating as a FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) channel, making it easier than ever for American fans to watch for free.
For South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, Star+ (ESPN) is the exclusive home of the Thomas & Uber Cup. This single platform covers a massive geographic footprint, including major nations like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, as well as dozens of island nations in the Caribbean. Whether you are in Jamaica, the Bahamas, or Peru, Star+ provides a centralized hub for all live matches.
Africa and Global Digital Access
The 2026 Finals also marks a significant step forward for African badminton fans. Discover Sport will provide coverage across the continent via DiscoverSport.com, ensuring that the rising interest in the sport in nations like Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt is well-supported.
For fans in territories without a primary broadcaster, or for those who prefer a neutral global feed, the Olympic Channel and BWF TV (via YouTube and other digital platforms) will provide worldwide access. Furthermore, news agencies like Reuters and SNTV will provide extensive “News Access” highlights, ensuring the tournament remains in the global sporting conversation even for casual viewers.
Why You Should Watch
The 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup is more than just a tournament; it is a test of national depth and team spirit. Unlike individual BWF World Tour events, the team format requires three singles wins and two doubles wins (or a combination thereof) to secure a tie. This leads to incredible drama, where lower-ranked players often find themselves in the position of “giant-killers,” playing for the pride of their nation.
With Denmark having the home-court advantage, the atmosphere in Horsens is guaranteed to be electric. Whether you are cheering for the defending champions, supporting an underdog, or simply admiring the world-class athleticism of stars like Kunlavut Vitidsarn or An Se-young, the 2026 broadcast schedule ensures the front-row seat is right in your living room.
Official Broadcaster List: 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals
| Territory | Broadcaster(s) | Channel / Platform |
| ASIA | ||
| China | BesTV, Huya, Migu, Youku, CCTV, CBA | BesTV, Huya Badminton, Migu Sports, Youku Sports, CCTV-5, CBA Video System (WeChat) |
| Chinese Taipei | ELTA | Elta Sports 2, 3, 4; Elta Sports Max 3, 4 |
| Hong Kong | PCCW | Now Sports Plus (Ch. 680), Now Sports 1 (Ch. 631) |
| India & Sub Continent* | Jiostar | JioHotstar, Star Sports Select 2 HD, Star Sports Select 2 SD |
| Indonesia | Vidio, NEX Parabola | Vidio, NEX SPORT 3 HD |
| Korea | SPOTV Eclat | SPOTV |
| Macau | TDM | TDM Sport, TDM Official Website, TDM App |
| Malaysia | Astro, Sooka | Astro Badminton 1, Astro Badminton 2 |
| Singapore | StarHub, Singtel | Hub Sports 1, 2, 7; mio Sports 1, 2 |
| Thailand | True Visions | True Sports 7, True Sports 2 |
| Vietnam | VTVCAB | VTVCab On Sports, VTVCab On Sports News, VTVprime |
| EUROPE | ||
| Denmark | TV2 | TV2 Sport, TV2 Play |
| Germany | SportEurope.tv | SportEurope.tv |
| Russia | Match TV | TBC |
| Slovakia | JOJ | TBC |
| Ukraine | MAINCAST SPORT | Maincast |
| REST OF THE WORLD | ||
| USA | Amazon FireTV, DIRECTV, Sling, Anoki, LocalNow, Sports.tv, Tablo TV, DistroTV, Free Live Sports, Plex | Sports Illustrated TV (FAST Channel) |
| South & Central America, Caribbean* | Star+ (ESPN) | Star+ (ESPN) |
| Africa | Discover Sport | DiscoverSport.com |
| Worldwide | Olympic Channel, Reuters, SNTV | Olympic Channel, Reuters (News), SNTV (News) |
| BWF TV | BWF TV | BWF TV |
Territory Notes:
- Pan India: Includes Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan.
- South America: Includes Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
- Central America: Includes Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama.
- Caribbean: Includes Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadaloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and cruise ships operating in the arms and waters thereof.
