Badminton at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will bring together the world’s best players for ten days of competition, five medal events and a major change to how matches are scored.
The LA28 Games will take place from July 14 to July 30, 2028, with badminton scheduled from July 15 to July 24. But this edition could feel different from previous Olympics: the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has approved a new 15-point scoring system, set to take effect in January 2027 and debut at the 2028 Games.
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When is badminton at the 2028 Olympics?
- Competition dates: July 15–24, 2028
- Host city: Los Angeles, United States
- Venue: Galen Center, University of Southern California
- Medal events: Five
Badminton will be played at the Galen Center, an indoor arena that hosts USC basketball and volleyball. The venue will welcome Olympic badminton athletes competing for medals across singles and doubles. Dates and scheduling details may still change as the Games approach.
What are the badminton events at LA28?
The Olympic badminton programme will feature five events:
- Men’s singles
- Women’s singles
- Men’s doubles
- Women’s doubles
- Mixed doubles
Each event will crown an Olympic champion, with bronze medals also awarded. Unlike team competitions such as the Thomas Cup or Uber Cup, the Olympic badminton programme is organised around these five individual and pair events.
The biggest change: Badminton’s new 15-point scoring system
One of the major talking points ahead of LA28 is the scoring format.
Read: Players share mixed reactions to proposed 15-point badminton scoring system
Under the familiar system, players compete in best-of-three games, with each game played to 21 points and a two-point winning margin, subject to a points cap. The BWF has approved a change to a best-of-three format with games played to 15 points, scheduled to come into effect in January 2027.
That means the 2028 Olympics are set to be the first Olympic Games where badminton uses the new system.
The change has divided players and observers. Supporters argue that shorter games could reduce physical demands and make scheduling more manageable. Critics worry that matches could become less forgiving, with fewer points available to recover from a slow start.
For spectators, the key question is whether the new format produces tighter finishes and more dramatic momentum swings. Players will have to adapt their tactics and preparation before the qualification period and the Games themselves.
How do players qualify for the 2028 Olympics?
Qualification is based on the BWF Olympic ranking, with the qualification period scheduled to run from May 3, 2027, to April 30, 2028. The Olympic ranking used for initial allocations is scheduled to be published on May 2, 2028.
The published qualification framework provides for 172 athletes: 86 men and 86 women. Each country can qualify up to 16 athletes, subject to event-specific limits.
In singles, a country can earn two places if both players are ranked within the top 16. In doubles, it can earn two pairs if both are ranked within the top eight. Otherwise, the usual limit is one entry per event, subject to the full qualification rules and continental representation provisions.
Can Indian badminton players win medals at LA28?
India will be hoping to build on its Olympic badminton history. Saina Nehwal won bronze at London 2012, while P. V. Sindhu earned silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020.
The 2028 qualification period will determine which Indian players make it to Los Angeles. Until then, performances on the BWF World Tour and at major championships will be important indicators, but no athlete’s Olympic place is guaranteed this far in advance.
What should fans watch for?
LA28 offers more than another Olympic badminton tournament. It will be the first Olympic edition scheduled to use the new 15-point format, giving players and fans a fresh tactical challenge.
With five medal events, a ten-day competition window and qualification still ahead, the road to Los Angeles is already worth following. The next big story will be which players adapt best and who earns the opportunity to compete for Olympic gold.
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