The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has officially approved a landmark change to the sport’s scoring system, abolishing the long-standing 21-point rule in favor of a new 15-point format per game. The decision was announced following a vote at the BWF Annual General Meeting on April 25, 2026, where 198 members supported the change and 43 opposed it.
The new scoring system will reduce the number of points required to win a game from 21 to 15, while maintaining the best-of-three games format. This means matches will now be played under a 3×15 system, with the possibility of extending to 21 points in certain circumstances as part of ongoing trials.
According to the BWF, the change comes after years of experimentation and analysis. The federation first tested the 3×15 system in 2018 and again in 2021, though both attempts failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority for approval. In the 2021 vote, the proposal fell short by just one vote, receiving 187 “yes” votes against 95 “no” votes.
This time, the BWF pursued a different approach, launching a global trial period from October 2025 to April 2026. During this window, tournament organizers worldwide were encouraged to implement the 3×15 scoring system in events including continental championships, BWF Grade 3 and Future Series tournaments, national championships, and domestic league matches.
The BWF Council stated that data collected from previous tournaments supported the shift, arguing that the 3×15 system better serves the sport by creating more exciting rallies earlier in games, improving the balance between entertainment and match length, shortening overall game duration, enhancing tournament scheduling, increasing fan engagement, and promoting player health.
While the rule change has been formally adopted, its implementation will be phased. The BWF confirmed that the current 3×21 scoring system will remain in effect through the end of 2026. The new 3×15 rules are set to take official effect at the start of 2027, giving players, coaches, and tournament organizers time to adapt.
In the interim, the BWF plans to continue gathering data. In 2025, the 3×15 system will be tested at lower-level competitions and junior world championships to collect practical insights on match duration, physical intensity, and athlete feedback. The federation believes that reducing the point threshold will produce matches more intense from the outset and increase spectator appeal by delivering decisive moments earlier in play.
The BWF, which was known as the International Badminton Federation (IBF) until 2006, oversees the global governance of badminton. This marks the first time since the sport’s modern scoring framework was established that the point target for winning a game has been altered.
As the sport prepares for this transition, stakeholders across the badminton community will be watching closely to see how the change affects gameplay, strategy, and the overall experience for athletes and fans alike when the new rules come into force in 2027.
For ongoing updates on badminton rule changes and tournament schedules, fans are encouraged to follow official announcements from the Badminton World Federation.
