India Open 2028 to be held in Guwahati, confirms BAI secretary general

The India Open, one of the premier badminton tournaments on the BWF World Tour, will shift locations for the 2028 edition, moving from New Delhi to Guwahati. This marks the first time since its inception that the tournament will be held outside the capital. The decision follows concerns over logistical challenges during the Republic Day period in Delhi, according to Sanjay Mishra, secretary general of the Badminton Association of India (BAI). The tournament will return to Delhi in 2029, Mishra confirmed. In addition, the 2027 edition will be held in Delhi but will occur in early February instead of January, a shift aimed at mitigating issues related to air quality and weather conditions. The 2028 India Open will be held in Guwahati from January 25 to 30. This timing overlaps with Republic Day celebrations in Delhi, which fall on January 26 each year. Mishra explained that the heightened security measures and logistical constraints associated with Republic Day make it impractical to hold the tournament in Delhi during that period. As a result, the BAI has opted to relocate the event to Guwahati for that year. The move is described as temporary, with plans to bring the tournament back to Delhi in 2029. The 2027 edition of the India Open will take place in Delhi, but its dates have been adjusted to February 2 through 7. This represents a departure from the traditional January schedule, which had drawn criticism from international players in recent years. Mishra noted that the BWF’s global calendar is rigidly structured, making it difficult to alter the dates of individual tournaments without disrupting the entire schedule. However, the BAI has managed to shift the tournament slightly later in the calendar to avoid the worst of Delhi’s winter conditions. Delhi’s winter climate has been a recurring issue for the India Open. During the 2026 edition, several top players expressed concerns about the air quality and cold temperatures affecting their performance. Singaporean player Loh Kean Yew mentioned feeling restricted in his breathing due to poor air quality, while Danish player Mia Blichfeldt voiced similar concerns regarding training conditions. World No. 4 Anders Antonsen, who withdrew from the 2026 tournament citing health risks, faced a $5,000 fine from the BWF. Despite the fine, Antonsen has continued to oppose hosting the tournament in Delhi during the winter months, stating he would prefer to pay the penalty than compete under such conditions. Antonsen’s stance highlights the ongoing debate over the suitability of Delhi as a host city for the India Open during the colder months. His comments were echoed during the 2027 World Championships, where he criticized the decision to hold the India Open in Delhi again, even though the tournament has been moved to February. Antonsen suggested that pollution levels could still be problematic during this time and reiterated his preference for avoiding the tournament unless conditions improve significantly. The BWF has acknowledged these concerns and stated that it is actively reviewing the tournament’s scheduling. Thomas Lund, BWF secretary general, emphasized that the organization is engaged in discussions with local authorities and stakeholders to find solutions that balance logistical requirements with the needs of athletes. While a complete overhaul of the calendar has not yet been feasible due to domestic scheduling constraints, Lund noted that efforts are underway to implement incremental improvements. Guwahati, located in Assam, has experience hosting high-profile badminton events, including the BWF World Junior Championships and international team competitions. Hosting the India Open in Guwahati presents an opportunity to showcase the region’s infrastructure and hospitality capabilities. The city’s indoor stadium, which has previously accommodated major tournaments, is expected to serve as the venue for the 2028 edition. This move could also help distribute the economic benefits of hosting such a prestigious event more widely across India. The shift in the India Open’s location and timing reflects broader considerations related to athlete welfare, environmental factors, and logistical feasibility. While the tournament will remain a key fixture on the BWF World Tour, its future scheduling will likely continue to evolve based on feedback from players and officials. For now, the 2028 edition in Guwahati stands as a temporary adjustment, with the hope that the tournament will eventually settle into a sustainable pattern that meets all stakeholders’ expectations.