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2026 All England Open Badminton Championships
Kickoff Time: 2026-3–3–3-8 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/VCG
The 2026 All England Open Badminton Championships (Super 1000) will officially kick off in Birmingham, UK, from March 3 to March 8. As a crucial tournament for Olympic qualifying points and one of the world’s top badminton events, this year’s championships have brought together the sport’s elite players, with a total prize pool of $1.45 million.
In the men’s singles event, top seed and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi heads the top half of the draw. He will face India’s Lakshya Sen in the first round. Sen has repeatedly troubled top players on the international circuit, meaning Shi Yuqi faces a tough opening match. If Shi advances smoothly, he is likely to meet Hong Kong China’s Angus Ng Ka Long in the second round. Ng is also a strong competitor, making this “China derby” one of the highlights of the top half. The top half also features third seed Anders Antonsen, sixth seed Li Shifeng, and eighth seed Alex Lanier, making it an extremely competitive “group of death.”
In the bottom half, second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn will take on China’s Lu Guangzu in the first round. The two previously met in the 1/8 finals of the India Open, where Kunlavut won 2‑0 to reach the quarterfinals. Their rematch is highly anticipated. The bottom half also includes fourth seed Jonatan Christie, fifth seed Christo Popov, and seventh seed Chou Tien Chen, guaranteeing fierce matches at every stage. It will be no easy task for Kunlavut to fight his way out of the bottom half.
Known as the “Wimbledon of badminton,” the All England Open has long been a must‑win event for the world’s top players. It also serves as key preparation ahead of the Paris Olympics. Can Shi Yuqi continue his recent outstanding form and claim the title again at the All England? Will the young generation seize the chance to make a breakthrough? Let us witness the thrilling clash between established champions and rising stars!