BWF Super 1000 Enters a New Era: $2 Million Prize Money, 11-Day Format and 48-Player Singles Revolution

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has unveiled a transformative new format for its flagship Super 1000 (S1000) tournaments from the 2027–2030 cycle, marking one of the most significant structural overhauls in modern badminton history.

With increased prize money, extended tournament duration, full global broadcast coverage, and a radical new competition format in singles, the Super 1000 tier is being repositioned as the true “Grand Slam” equivalent of the sport. At the heart of this evolution lies a simple ambition: elevate badminton into a premium global sports entertainment product while balancing commercial growth with athlete welfare.

$2 Million Prize Pool and 11-Day Festival Format

The most immediate headline change is financial. Each Super 1000 tournament will now offer a minimum prize pool of $2 million a substantial jump from previous cycles. This increase signals the BWF’s intent to solidify the Super 1000 tier as the pinnacle of recurring events on the World Tour calendar.

Higher prize money serves multiple purposes. It incentivizes top-ranked players to consistently participate, justifies the mandatory participation regulations placed on elite athletes, and enhances the commercial appeal of host cities and sponsors. With badminton’s global fan base crossing 700 million and broadcast reach expanding into over 160 territories, the sport now possesses the scale to support this financial leap.

Equally significant is the expansion of tournament duration from the traditional six-day window to an 11-day format, effectively stretching across two weekends. This structural shift transforms each Super 1000 event into a “festival-style” showcase rather than a compressed knockout sprint.

From an athlete perspective, the longer format introduces additional rest days between matches. Previously, players were often forced to contest five consecutive high-intensity matches to win a title. The extended schedule reduces cumulative fatigue and improves match quality deep into the tournament.

From a broadcast and fan engagement standpoint, the 11-day model creates sustained narrative arcs. Instead of marquee matches overlapping on crowded schedules, sessions can be staggered to maximize prime-time visibility across global markets.

Singles Overhaul: 48 Players and Group Stage + Knockouts

Perhaps the most radical change lies in the singles format. Beginning in 2027, Super 1000 singles events will expand from 32 to 48 players. Rather than a straight knockout draw, the new structure introduces a group stage followed by knockout rounds. The 48 players will be divided into 16 groups of three. Each player will compete in two round-robin matches within their group. Only the group winner advances to the Round of 16 knockout stage.

This format accomplishes several strategic objectives:

1. Guaranteed Match Exposure for Stars: Under the previous system, a top seed could exit in the first round, dramatically reducing the tournament’s commercial value. The group stage guarantees that every elite player competes in at least two matches.
2. Greater Inclusivity: Expanding to 48 players allows more lower-ranked athletes to enter the highest tier, increasing global representation and developmental opportunities.
3. Narrative Depth: The group phase introduces tactical layers. A single poor performance does not necessarily eliminate a player, adding intrigue and mathematical scenarios reminiscent of global football tournaments.
4. Increased Physical Demand — But Balanced by Rest: To win the title, a singles player must now win six matches (two group + four knockout), compared to five under the old system. However, the additional rest days offset this workload.

This structural recalibration aligns with badminton’s ambition to mimic the storytelling and commercial appeal of tennis Grand Slams while preserving the sport’s unique tempo and intensity.

Doubles Retains Knockout Simplicity

In contrast, doubles disciplines will maintain the traditional 32-pair single-elimination format. Logistically, expanding doubles into a similar group stage would significantly increase total match count beyond manageable levels, even with the extended 11-day window. By retaining the knockout format, the BWF balances innovation in singles with operational efficiency in doubles.

However, doubles players will benefit indirectly from the longer tournament window, as matches will now be spaced more evenly, reducing recovery strain.

100% Global Broadcast Coverage: 1,095 Matches

A defining pillar of the new Super 1000 model is complete broadcast coverage. All 1,095 matches across the five annual Super 1000 events will be produced and broadcast globally. This represents a massive increase from previous cycles, where many early-round matches were played on side courts without full television production.

To facilitate this:

• Events will primarily operate on a two-court setup.
• Standardized lighting and production requirements will be enforced.
• Enhanced LED branding and digital overlays will elevate commercial presentation.
• A strengthened OTT strategy will expand direct-to-consumer access worldwide.

Full broadcast coverage ensures that every player not just finalists gains global visibility. This enhances sponsor value, supports national federations, and strengthens badminton’s overall media footprint.

The Super 1000 transformation is not merely cosmetic. It represents a recalibration of badminton’s competitive ecosystem.

The $2 million prize pool and guaranteed global broadcast position Super 1000 events as premium sports properties capable of attracting multinational sponsors and high-value media deals. While the 11-day format improves in-tournament recovery, the expanded calendar footprint means elite players will spend longer periods on tour. Balancing performance sustainability will remain a key challenge.

Ranking Dynamics: The group stage reduces volatility. Players who lose one match still retain qualification opportunities, stabilizing ranking fluctuations compared to sudden-death knockouts.

Fan Engagement: More matches, clearer scheduling, and consistent production quality aim to convert badminton from a niche following into a mainstream global viewing experience.

A Defining Shift for Modern Badminton

The new Super 1000 structure signals badminton’s intent to compete with the world’s most commercially sophisticated sports leagues. Increased prize money, structural innovation, and comprehensive broadcast production collectively reshape the competitive and entertainment framework of the sport. If executed successfully, the 2027–2030 cycle may well be remembered as the moment badminton transitioned from a high-participation global sport to a fully realised global sports entertainment powerhouse.

The Super 1000 events are no longer just tournaments they are evolving into global spectacles.