The Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 is set for a significant upgrade in 2026, with India’s premier international badminton tournament moving to the iconic Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
Scheduled from January 13 to 18, the Super 750 event will now be staged at a venue that not only carries historical weight in Indian sport but also signals the growing ambition around badminton in the country.
The shift to the IG Indoor Stadium represents a clear step up in scale. With a seating capacity of over 8,000 more than double that of the tournament’s previous home the move is designed to meet rising fan interest while enhancing the overall matchday experience. Over the last decade, the India Open has steadily established itself as one of the most anticipated stops on the BWF World Tour, and the decision to upgrade the venue reflects both its commercial growth and sporting relevance.
Ticket sales for the 2026 edition have now gone live, exclusively through the tournament’s official ticketing partner, Ticmint. Prices start at an accessible INR 400, while premium seating is capped at INR 1,750, ensuring a wide range of options for fans. In a bid to encourage early engagement, organisers have also rolled out a phased discount structure, with early-bird bookings offering savings of up to 50 per cent across multiple categories.
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The initial ticketing window, which runs until the end of December, offers the steepest discounts, including for knockout-stage matches. Subsequent phases in early January will continue to provide reduced prices, allowing fans flexibility while still benefiting from promotional offers. The approach reflects a conscious effort to balance accessibility with demand for one of the biggest badminton events hosted in the country.
Organised by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) under the aegis of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the India Open remains a flagship event on the global calendar. As a Super 750 tournament, it offers up to 11,000 ranking points and a total prize purse of USD 950,000, making it a crucial stop for elite players as they plan their seasons.
The 2026 edition is expected to feature a strong international and Indian lineup. World-class stars such as Olympic champion An Se-young, reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, and India’s own PV Sindhu are likely to headline the field. The men’s doubles category will once again be a major draw, with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty expected to attract strong home support, while Lakshya Sen remains a central figure in the men’s singles draw.
Alongside established names, the tournament will also provide a valuable platform for India’s next generation. Youngsters like Unnati Hooda and Ayush Shetty represent the future of Indian badminton, and the India Open has increasingly become a space where emerging talent measures itself against the world’s best in front of home crowds.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India, underlined the broader significance of the venue shift. He noted that moving the India Open to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium marks an important step in the tournament’s evolution, allowing organisers to accommodate significantly more fans while delivering a better on-ground experience for both players and spectators.
As Indian badminton continues to grow in stature, Mishra emphasised the need for flagship events to evolve in parallel, creating environments where athletes, fans and the sport itself can thrive together.
For players, the larger venue also brings added energy. A fuller arena, improved facilities and the atmosphere of a historic stadium are factors that elevate the competitive experience. For fans, the move promises better sightlines, enhanced amenities and the opportunity to witness world-class badminton in a setting that has hosted some of India’s most memorable sporting moments.
The India Open’s growth mirrors the broader trajectory of badminton in the country. From producing Olympic medallists to building strong domestic interest, the sport has steadily moved towards the mainstream. Events like the India Open play a crucial role in sustaining that momentum, bridging the gap between elite international competition and local fan engagement.
With tickets now on sale and the countdown to January underway, the 2026 Yonex-Sunrise India Open is shaping up to be one of the most expansive editions in the tournament’s history. A larger venue, a star-studded field and a fan-friendly ticketing structure point towards an event designed not just to showcase top-level badminton, but to celebrate how far the sport has come in India.
As the shuttle rises over the IG Indoor Stadium next month, the India Open will do more than crown champions it will underline India’s growing presence on the global badminton stage.
