India Open Super 750 Shifts to Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Bigger Venue to Host World’s Best Shuttlers
The BWF India Open Super 750 tournament will be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi this year, marking a significant venue shift for one of India’s biggest badminton events. The tournament, scheduled from January 13 to January 18, will no longer take place at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall and will instead move to the larger and more modern Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
This change comes as Indian badminton continues to grow rapidly in global stature, with rising fan interest and increasing expectations around infrastructure and spectator experience. The India Open will be the second event of the 2026 BWF World Tour season, following the Malaysia Open Super 750, which traditionally serves as the curtain-raiser for the new badminton calendar.
Officials believe the venue change is a timely and strategic decision, especially with India set to host the prestigious BWF World Championships in August next year. The upcoming India Open will effectively serve as a test event to evaluate the venue’s readiness for hosting global badminton’s biggest names.
Key Moments
The most notable highlight ahead of the tournament is the shift to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 8,000 spectators—more than double that of the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall. This move is expected to significantly boost crowd attendance and enhance the overall match-day atmosphere.
Ticket sales for the India Open will be conducted exclusively online through the tournament’s official ticketing partner, Ticmint. Prices will start from Rs 400, making the event accessible to a wide range of fans, while premium seating has been capped at Rs 1,750. Organisers expect strong demand, particularly for weekend matches featuring top Indian and international players.
From a sporting perspective, the India Open Super 750 remains one of the most lucrative and competitive events on the BWF World Tour. The tournament offers up to 11,000 ranking points, which can play a crucial role in Olympic qualification and season-long rankings. The total prize purse stands at USD 950,000, further underlining the tournament’s importance.
Reactions
Badminton Association of India (BAI) General Secretary Sanjay Mishra welcomed the move, calling it a major step in the tournament’s evolution. In an official release, Mishra said the larger venue would allow organisers to accommodate more fans while improving the experience for both players and spectators.
“Moving the India Open to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium this year marks an important step in the tournament’s evolution,” Mishra said. “The larger venue allows us to accommodate significantly more fans while delivering a better on-ground experience for players and spectators alike.”
He also highlighted the broader vision behind the decision, linking it to the growth of Indian badminton on the global stage. Mishra emphasised that flagship tournaments must evolve alongside the sport’s rising popularity and competitive standards.
“As Indian badminton continues to grow in stature, it is essential that our flagship events evolve in step, creating spaces where the sport, the athletes and the fans can all thrive together,” he added.
Players and fans alike have reacted positively to the announcement, particularly after concerns raised during the previous edition of the tournament. At the last India Open, several players had complained about subpar playing conditions, with Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt publicly criticising what she described as “unacceptable” conditions. Those complaints brought renewed focus on venue quality, court conditions and overall tournament management.
Impact
The venue change could have far-reaching implications for Indian badminton. Hosting the India Open at a larger, internationally recognised stadium not only improves fan engagement but also sends a strong message to the global badminton community about India’s readiness to host world-class events.
With the BWF World Championships scheduled to be held in India next year, the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium will be under close scrutiny. Officials are expected to assess everything from court conditions and lighting to crowd management and logistics during the India Open. A successful tournament could strengthen India’s reputation as a reliable host for major international competitions.
From a sporting angle, the tournament promises high-quality action. Indian stars such as PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will headline the home contingent, carrying the hopes of local fans. On the global front, world-class players including Viktor Axelsen, An Se-young, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Shi Yuqi and Jonathan Christie are expected to compete, ensuring intense matchups across categories.
The presence of such elite players also enhances the India Open’s value as a global broadcast product, attracting international viewership and sponsorship interest. For Indian players, competing against top-ranked opponents at home provides both competitive exposure and a morale boost ahead of a demanding season.
Conclusion
The decision to move the BWF India Open Super 750 to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium reflects the changing scale and ambition of Indian badminton. With a larger seating capacity, improved facilities and the added significance of serving as a test event for next year’s World Championships, the 2026 edition of the India Open carries added importance.
As fans prepare to witness some of the world’s finest shuttlers in action, organisers will also be under pressure to deliver a smooth, player-friendly tournament that addresses past criticisms. If executed well, this year’s India Open could mark a turning point in how major badminton events are staged in India.
Final Thoughts from chronicle.thetrendingpeople.com
The shift of the India Open Super 750 to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium is more than just a venue change—it reflects the growing confidence and ambition of Indian badminton. With rising fan interest, world-class athletes, and the responsibility of hosting the World Championships next year, expectations are understandably high. This tournament will test not just the players, but also India’s ability to deliver a seamless international sporting spectacle. A successful edition could firmly establish India as one of badminton’s most dependable global hosts.