Badminton

2028 India Open May Shift to Guwahati Before Resuming in Delhi

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 24, 2026, 00:54 IST

In 2028, Guwahati will host the India Open, India's premier BWF World Series event, before it returns to New Delhi in 2029.

2028 India Open May Shift to Guwahati Before Resuming in Delhi

The prestigious India Open, a key event in the BWF World Series, is set to take place in Guwahati in 2028, marking a temporary relocation from its usual venue in New Delhi. The announcement was made by Sanjay Mishra, the secretary general of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), on Sunday. The tournament will return to New Delhi in 2029, following its 2027 edition, which will also be hosted in the capital.

Relocation Due to Security Concerns

Mishra explained that the decision to move the tournament to Guwahati is primarily due to scheduling conflicts with the Republic Day Parade, which occurs in late January. "The 2028 India Open will be held in the last week of January, and due to the tournament dates clashing with Republic Day security arrangements in the National capital, we felt that only for that year, we should shift the tournament to Guwahati," he stated. He reassured fans that the event would return to its traditional home in New Delhi the following year.

In recent years, the BAI has faced scrutiny regarding the playing conditions at the New Delhi venue, particularly during the last two editions of the India Open. However, Mishra expressed satisfaction with the positive feedback received from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) following the successful hosting of the 2026 World Championship in New Delhi. This event was seen as a significant improvement over previous tournaments.

Positive Reception from Players

Reflecting on the World Championship's success, Mishra noted, "Yes, we have done it. So, all the players are happy." He highlighted the turnaround in sentiment from players, particularly citing Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt, who had previously criticized the conditions at the India Open. This year, Blichfeldt publicly acknowledged the improvements made by the BAI, marking a notable shift in her perspective.

Mishra emphasized that the positive reception extended beyond players to include officials and BWF members, all of whom praised the arrangements made for the World Championship. "The biggest example is Mia Blichfeldt, who was negative last time. She was the first one to tweet and appreciate our efforts this time," he remarked, underscoring the successful execution of the event without any significant issues.

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