The badminton world is set for another thrilling week of elite competition as the DAIHATSU BWF Japan Open 2026 takes centre stage from 14 to 19 July at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. One of the marquee events on the HSBC BWF World Tour, the Japan Open is a Super 750 tournament that attracts many of the world’s top shuttlers competing for prestigious titles, valuable world ranking points, and a share of the US$950,000 (~₹8.1 crore) prize pool.
As the Asian leg of the 2026 badminton season gathers momentum, the tournament promises six days of world-class action across all five disciplines. From Olympic medallists and world champions to rising stars eager to make their mark, fans can expect high-intensity matches from the opening day through to Sunday’s finals.
BWF Japan Open 2026 Schedule
The tournament follows the standard six-day BWF World Tour format:
- Tuesday, 14 July: First Round
- Wednesday, 15 July: First Round
- Thursday, 16 July: Round of 16
- Friday, 17 July: Quarterfinals
- Saturday, 18 July: Semifinals
- Sunday, 19 July: Finals
Competition will be held across Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, with players battling for one of the most coveted titles on the BWF World Tour.
Prize Money and Ranking Points
The BWF Japan Open 2026 carries a total prize pool of US$950,000 (~₹8.1 crore), making it one of the richest BWF World Tour Super 750 tournaments on this year’s calendar.
In addition to the prize money, champions in each category will earn 11,000 BWF World Ranking points, while runners-up, semifinalists, and quarterfinalists will also receive ranking points according to the BWF World Tour points distribution. These valuable ranking points could play a crucial role as players aim to improve their world rankings and build momentum during the second half of the 2026 season.
Top Players to Watch
The Japan Open has long attracted one of the strongest fields in international badminton, and the 2026 edition is no exception. Olympic medallists, world champions, and former Japan Open winners are among the star names expected to light up the courts in Tokyo.
Shi Yuqi (China)
Chinese star Shi Yuqi enters Tokyo as one of the leading contenders in the men’s singles competition. The 2025 Japan Open champion has enjoyed consistent success on the BWF World Tour and is known for his tactical intelligence and attacking style. He will be aiming to successfully defend his title in Tokyo.
An Se Young (South Korea)
One of the biggest names in women’s badminton, An Se Young continues to set the benchmark with her remarkable consistency, speed, and defensive excellence. The Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist and defending Japan Open champion will once again be among the favourites in the women’s singles draw.
Akane Yamaguchi (Japan)
Backed by passionate home support, Akane Yamaguchi remains one of Japan’s biggest hopes. A two-time BWF World Champion (2021 and 2022), Yamaguchi will look to use her experience and familiarity with the Tokyo venue to make another deep run.
Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand)
Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn has established himself as one of the world’s premier men’s singles players. The 2023 BWF World Champion is renowned for his composure, exceptional rallying ability, and tactical versatility, making him a serious title contender.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (India)
India’s premier men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, remain among the strongest partnerships on the BWF World Tour. The duo created history by becoming the first Indian men’s doubles pair to win the Asian Games gold medal (2023) and the first Indians to reach World No. 1 in men’s doubles, making them one of the country’s leading title contenders in Tokyo.
Why the Japan Open Matters
The Japan Open is widely regarded as one of the flagship tournaments on the BWF World Tour. As a Super 750 event, it offers significantly more ranking points than Super 500 and Super 300 tournaments, making it a key stop for players aiming to strengthen their position in the world rankings.
The tournament also marks the beginning of an important phase in the Asian swing, with the China Open Super 1000 scheduled immediately afterwards. A strong performance in Tokyo could provide valuable confidence and momentum heading into another major event.
Defending Champions
Several of badminton’s biggest stars return to Tokyo as defending champions after claiming their respective titles in 2025, setting the stage for another highly competitive edition of the BWF Japan Open.
| Category | Defending Champion |
| Men’s Singles | Shi Yuqi (China) |
| Women’s Singles | An Se Young (South Korea) |
| Men’s Doubles | Kim Won-ho / Seo Seung-jae (South Korea) |
| Women’s Doubles | Liu Shengshu / Tan Ning (China) |
| Mixed Doubles | Jiang Zhenbang / Wei Yaxin (China) |
Where to Watch BWF Japan Open 2026
Fans around the world can watch the BWF Japan Open 2026 live on BWF TV, the official YouTube channel of the Badminton World Federation, and on Olympics.com, subject to regional streaming availability. Television coverage will also be provided through the tournament’s official broadcast partners in selected countries.
For the latest live scores, draws, schedules, and match results, fans can visit the official BWF World Tour website throughout the tournament. Streaming and broadcast availability may vary depending on local broadcasting rights.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The BWF Japan Open 2026 will be held from 14 to 19 July 2026 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
The tournament features a total prize pool of US$950,000 (~₹8.1 crore), making it one of the richest events on the BWF World Tour Super 750 calendar.
Fans can watch the tournament live on the BWF TV YouTube channel (where available) and through official broadcast partners in their respective countries. Live scores and results will also be available on the official BWF World Tour website.
As a BWF World Tour Super 750 event, champions in each category will earn 11,000 BWF World Ranking points, along with prize money and valuable ranking benefits for the 2026 season.
