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Ada Li

Badminton bosses say they have changed the sport’s scoring system with an eye on attracting the younger generation with more exciting matches, and older players believe it could prolong their careers.
From the start of next year, the sport will revert to a variation of the 15-point system that was first used in the 19th century, ending two decades of the first to 21 winning a game.
Not everyone, however, is convinced that going back to the future is the best thing for the sport.
Retired Malaysian star Lee Chong Wei was among those voicing strong opposition, saying he believed the current system worked well.
“If this 15-point system is really going ahead, I wouldn’t be surprised if 36-year-old Chou Tien‑chen keeps playing or even if I end up coming back to the court myself,” the 43-year-old Lee said.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) ratified the changes at its annual general meeting in Denmark this past weekend, with 198 votes in favour and 43 against.

Officials said the rationale was grounded in creating shorter games that would hopefully reduce player fatigue and injury risk, while creating tighter, higher-intensity rallies.
“We are building a sport that speaks to the next generation, while continuing to invest in the long‑term future of our players,” Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, the federation’s president, said.
“The scoring system is intended to deliver more exciting and competitive badminton, improved scheduling, more consistent match durations, and potential benefits for player welfare and recovery.”
Under the new format, which will come into force on January 4, 2027, games will be won at 15 points, but with a 21-point cap, meaning at 14–14, a player must win by two clear points, while at 20–20 the next point wins the game.
The change has already been trialled in BWF events, including the world junior championship, with many seeing it as a shift in favour of aggressive, fast‑paced players.
“The skill, the tactics, the physical and mental demands, and the drama of the sport will remain,” Leeswadtrakul said.
National associations and players are already working on adapting to the new rules, and the Chinese Badminton Association trialled them in the Super League last season to give its players a head start.
Among current stars, reactions are mixed.
China’s Chen Yufei, who won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said she was “supporting the 15-point format”, while compatriot Huang Yaqiong, the mixed-doubles champion in Paris 2024, was not in favour because of the need to change tactics and rhythm.
“The current top players, especially the younger ones, I don’t think they want this kind of reform,” Huang’s gold partner Zheng Siwei added.
“For them, shorter games will make the advantage much more obvious. For older players, it may actually extend their careers. With 15‑point games, we’re going to see new styles and tactics, and perhaps unexpected champions emerge.”
Hong Kong mixed‑doubles player Tse Ying‑suet, who previously said this year’s Asian Games in Japan would be her “final competition” but has since considered prolonging her career, believes the change is attractive for players such as her.

“It gives our coach another reason to persuade me to keep playing,” the 34-year-old said. “Given my age and fitness, 15 points is tempting, but I’m still a bit hesitant and torn.”
Elsewhere, world No 1 and Paris 2024 gold medallist An Se‑young, known for her defensive resilience and strength in the latter stages of rallies, has already started to adapt.
In her past seven finals, the South Korean has reached 10-point parity first in five, winning four of them, fuelling the belief she is shifting towards a more aggressive, early game approach suited to shorter formats.
Chinese world champion Shi Yuqi showed an optimistic approach.
“Shorter matches mean less demand on physical conditioning, but at the same time, the pressure from opponents, especially younger ones, will be stronger,” the 30-year-old said.
“You may not have time to wear them down or slowly grind it out on court; matches could end suddenly. So I will need to be more mentally focused and fully engaged from the start.
“Players should face the new rules with a positive attitude and adapt to it, not wait for it to adapt to us.”


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Sport’s bosses approve new scoring system, hope it will create shorter, more exciting games that appeal to younger people, aid player recovery


Sport’s bosses approve new scoring system, hope it will create shorter, more exciting games that appeal to younger people, aid player recovery.


Players split over badminton rule change, but some believe it could prolong their careers

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Sport’s bosses approve new scoring system, hope it will create shorter, more exciting games that appeal to younger people, aid player recovery

Sport’s bosses approve new scoring system, hope it will create shorter, more exciting games that appeal to younger people, aid player recovery