Badminton is fundamentally changing the way the sport is about to be played. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has approved a new scoring system to be introduced from January 4, 2027, to make matches shorter, sharper, and more exciting.

Matches will be played under the new 3x15 system. The best-of-three format will stay, but games will be played to 15 points instead of 21. The decision was made at the BWF’s Annual General Meeting in Denmark as the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup kicked off.

BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul called it a forward-looking step.

“We are building a sport that speaks to the next generation, while continuing to invest in the long-term future of our players,” she said.

The change comes after months of testing, analysis, and consultation. Before settling on the 3x15 format, the BWF tested five different scoring models. They compared it against the 3x21 model as well as the 5x11 model, with the 3x15 outshining them all.

"The three by 15 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."

Understandably, this is a major change. However, we've seen such changes before. Back in 2002, the 5x7 format was used, followed by the 3x21 from 2005, the experimental 5x11 in the early 2010s and now 3x15.

The BWF also believes the new system could help the players. Shorter games could also lead to less fatigue and risk of injury, particularly in congested tournament schedules.

Balancing Innovation with Tradition

There has been debate over the decision. Some stakeholders have raised concerns with the alteration of a long-standing format that has defined the sport for years.

But the BWF has maintained that the essence of badminton will remain. The shorter games will not change the skill, the tactics, or the physical demands, the governing body said.

Badminton is set to make this shift, and both players and fans will have to adapt. Rallies will be few, and the pressure will be great, but the margin for error may just get that much tighter in this new era.

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Written by

Chitrak Mukherjee

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar