BWF Confirms Major Change in Badminton
Badminton is set for a big change after the Badminton World Federation (BWF) approved a new scoring format.
The new 15×3 rally system will officially start on January 4, 2027. This replaces the current 21×3 format used in international badminton Malaysia tournaments today.
If scheduled as usual, the Malaysian Open could become the first major event to use the new system.
Badminton Malaysia Starts Early Testing
Badminton Malaysia is not waiting until 2027. The country plans to test the new format earlier, especially at the junior level.
Lee Chong Wei, now the national performance committee director, believes early adaptation is important.
The upcoming LCW Cup, a junior badminton tournament in August, will be the first to use the new format locally.
Focus on Faster and More Aggressive Play
The new scoring system is expected to change how badminton is played.
Matches will be faster. Players will need to attack earlier. There will be less time to recover during games.
This shift could benefit aggressive players in badminton Malaysia, especially those with strong attacking styles.
Lee Chong Wei Urges Immediate Adaptation
“The world body has made the decision and we have to follow,” said Chong Wei, who still prefers the current 21×3 scoring system.
“The Badminton Association of Malaysia will look at every opportunity to experiment with this new scoring format in local tournaments, as we need to adapt quickly.
“The LCW Cup will surely use the format. We want our juniors to switch to the new one swiftly.”
Preparation for the 2028 Olympics
The timing of this change is important. The qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will begin soon.
“We will have the new system for the next Olympics. We see the urgency and we will get the coaches and players to make immediate changes.
“There will be more speed and power in the game. Matches will end faster for sure, and I think we will not have long matches – probably, they can end within an hour.
“This format will benefit attacking players as they will go all out from the opening point,” added Chong Wei.