New Formats, New Era: BWF to Introduce 3×15 Scoring and Team Relay at World Junior Championships 2025 in Guwahati
In a landmark step towards modernising badminton, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) will roll out two new competition formats — the 3×15 point scoring system and an updated team relay format — at the upcoming BWF World Junior Championships 2025, scheduled for October in Guwahati, India. The announcement, made jointly by the BWF and the Badminton Association of India (BAI), signals a major shift in the sport’s approach to gameplay structure, audience engagement, and event delivery.
This year’s edition of the World Juniors will be hosted at the National Centre of Excellence in the Assam capital, which has rapidly developed into one of India’s most promising hubs for elite badminton training and international competition.
The New Relay Format: A Cumulative Battle of 45 Points
The mixed team event, which traditionally precedes the individual competition, will feature an updated relay-style format first piloted at last year’s edition in China.
Here’s how it works:
- The match will be played as best-of-three sets, with each set going up to 45 points.
- Each set will include all five categories: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
- Each match segment (e.g., men’s singles) will switch once a team reaches 9 points, and the next category will continue from that cumulative score until 45 points is reached.
- The process is repeated for the second and, if necessary, third set.
This cumulative relay approach is designed to increase interdependency between the five match segments and make the team event more dynamic, strategic, and fast-paced. It removes the traditional reset between ties and encourages tactical adaptability as every point matters across categories.
Individual Events to Trial 3×15 Format
In the individual events, BWF will debut the 3×15 scoring system, a major departure from the current best-of-three games to 21 format.
Here are the key features of 3×15:
- Each match consists of best-of-three games, with 15 points to win a game.
- If the score reaches 14-14, the game continues until a two-point lead is achieved.
- The cap is now set at 20-all, with the player scoring the 21st point declared the winner — replacing the previous 29-point cap under the 21-point system.
This format is already part of the ‘Alternative Laws of Badminton’ and has been trialled at lower-tier tournaments globally. According to the BWF, the objective is to test whether shorter, sharper games can improve match flow, viewer engagement, and athlete recovery, especially during packed tournament schedules.
Testing & Feedback: Data Will Drive Decisions
The testing period for the 3×15 format and the team relay system extends from April to October 2025, during which these systems will be used in selected Continental Championships, Grade 3 tournaments, and national leagues.
Once this pilot phase concludes, the BWF plans to conduct a comprehensive stakeholder survey involving:
- Players (via the Athletes’ Commission)
- Coaches and officials
- Tournament organisers
- Broadcasters and commercial partners
- National federations
The feedback will inform the BWF’s final proposal on whether these systems should be adopted more widely, with a formal decision expected at the 2026 BWF Annual General Meeting.
India’s Reaction: Mixed Opinions
The introduction of the new formats has sparked a mixed reaction within Indian badminton circles.
BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra acknowledged the diverse opinions among elite players:
“Our players are OK with a different system in leagues, but for the major events on tours, they think the existing system must continue,” Mishra told The Indian Express.
“In a 15-point game, there is not enough time to recover from mistakes. Also, the new system doesn’t fully reward players who excel at long rallies and endurance, which are traditionally our strengths.”
Veteran shuttler HS Prannoy was cautiously optimistic:
“It might help older players like me with recovery, but I’m unsure how it benefits the sport overall. A match lasting 70 minutes isn’t too long in the 21-point format. Maybe we need to rethink things like scheduling and broadcasting, not just the scoring,” he said to PTI
Mishra also predicted resistance from other Asian powerhouses like China, Malaysia, and Indonesia, who may view the changes as detrimental to their traditional playing strengths.
A Vision for Modern Badminton
Despite the skepticism, BWF is pushing ahead with its innovation agenda, viewing these changes as crucial to the sport’s evolution.
BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund lauded India and Guwahati for taking the lead:
“We are delighted to present a forward-thinking championship promoting innovation for badminton and reflecting a progressive and modern approach by BAI, Guwahati and BWF,” Lund said.
“It is essential that this process remains inclusive and well-informed, with any future decision guided by evidence and the broader interests of badminton worldwide.”
BWF officials believe that the team relay format, in particular, has the potential to increase team synergy, strategic diversity, and spectator excitement, while the 3×15 scoring could make matches more TV-friendly by offering faster turnarounds and greater point-to-point intensity.
Preparation and Implementation
To ensure smooth adoption of the new formats, the BWF and BAI will conduct virtual workshops for:
- Coaches
- Team managers
- Technical officials
These sessions will cover the revised regulations, relay transition rules, point tracking, and tactical implications of the cumulative scoring system. Additionally, the BWF will deploy analytics teams at the tournament to gather match data, track viewer engagement, and interview participants.
Looking Ahead: Guwahati at the Forefront of Change
The BWF World Junior Championships 2025 is shaping up to be more than just a title fight — it’s a laboratory of ideas and a global showcase for innovation in badminton. For the young stars competing in Guwahati, it will be a chance to test their adaptability in unfamiliar but exciting formats. And for badminton fans and stakeholders, it offers a glimpse into the potential future of the sport.
As India continues to rise as a powerhouse in global badminton, Guwahati’s role as the host of this transformative event further cements its place on the international map. Whether the 3×15 system or the relay format becomes a permanent fixture in the sport will depend on what unfolds in Guwahati and beyond.
For now, one thing is clear: change is in the air, and badminton’s next generation will be at the centre of it.
