SEOUL — The Badminton World Federation (BWF) will implement its first major scoring system overhaul in two decades this summer, a change directly tied to the meteoric rise of South Korea’s An Se-young and the growing imbalance between men’s and women’s singles competition.

The new rules, announced last month and set to debut at the 2026 BWF World Championships in Copenhagen, will standardize match formats across all five Olympic disciplines for the first time since 2006. The shift eliminates the last vestige of gender disparity in scoring—a move that officials say reflects the sport’s evolving competitive landscape.

What’s Changing—and Why Now?

Under the current system, women’s singles matches are played to 11 points per set (best of three), whereas all other disciplines—men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles—employ a 21-point format. The discrepancy dates back to the pre-2006 era, when women’s singles employed an 11-point system to accommodate perceived physical differences.

The BWF’s decision to unify the scoring system at 21 points across all events comes after years of internal debate, but the tipping point arrived last November when An Se-young became the first woman to reach the final of all three major 2025 Super 1000 events (All England, Indonesia Open, and China Open). Her dominance exposed a structural flaw: women’s singles matches were ending in half the time of men’s, creating scheduling chaos for broadcasters and reducing commercial value.

“The current format no longer reflects the athleticism or endurance required in modern women’s singles,” said BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer in a press conference last month. “An Se-young’s performances proved that the women’s game can sustain the same physical demands as the men’s, and our rules should reflect that.”

The An Se-young Effect

The 24-year-old South Korean has redefined women’s badminton since bursting onto the scene in 2021. Her 2025 season included a 47-match winning streak and the first-ever back-to-back World Tour Finals titles by a woman. But it was her 2025 All England Open final against China’s Chen Yufei that crystallized the scoring debate. The match lasted just 28 minutes—less than half the duration of the men’s final played the same day.

“I don’t think about the rules when I play,” An told reporters after her victory. “But I know the sport is changing, and maybe the rules should too.”

Her comments ignited a global conversation. Fans and analysts noted that women’s singles matches were averaging 32 minutes in 2025, compared to 58 minutes for men’s singles—a gap that had widened since the 2006 rule change. The shorter format also limited tactical depth, with fewer opportunities for comebacks or strategic adjustments during matches.

How the New Rules Work

Starting August 1, 2026, all badminton disciplines will adopt the following unified scoring system:

• Best-of-three sets
• Each set played to 21 points (win by 2)
• At 20-20, play continues until one side leads by 2 points
• At 29-29, the next point wins the set (30-point cap)

The BWF tested the new format during the 2026 Malaysia Open in January, where women’s singles matches averaged 49 minutes—nearly identical to the men’s average of 51 minutes. Player feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 87% of surveyed athletes supporting the change in a BWF-conducted poll.

“The longer sets allow for more strategic play,” said Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, the reigning Olympic men’s singles champion. “It’s a fairer test of skill and stamina.”

Controversy and Pushback

The decision hasn’t been universally welcomed. Critics argue that the change disproportionately benefits taller, more physically dominant players like An Se-young (5’9”) and China’s He Bingjiao (5’10”), potentially marginalizing shorter athletes who rely on speed and agility.

“This isn’t about fairness—it’s about entertainment,” said former Indonesian star Taufik Hidayat, who won Olympic gold in 2004 under the traditional 15-point system. “The BWF is chasing TV money, not what’s best for the sport.”

Others point to the logistical challenges. With all matches now requiring similar time slots, tournament organizers must rethink scheduling, particularly for events with multiple courts. The BWF has responded by reducing the number of matches per day in early rounds and extending session durations.

What It Means for the Future

The rule change arrives at a pivotal moment for badminton. The sport’s global audience has grown by 34% since 2020, driven largely by women’s singles stars like An Se-young, Spain’s Carolina Marín, and Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon. Standardizing the format could further boost visibility, particularly in markets where women’s sports struggle for airtime.

For An Se-young, the timing is perfect. The new rules could extend her prime by reducing the physical toll of shorter, more explosive matches. Her coach, Park Tae-sang, hinted at a tactical shift in a recent interview with Yonhap News: “We’ve been training for longer rallies. The new format plays to her endurance and shot variety.”

Meanwhile, the BWF is already eyeing further reforms. A proposed “sudden-death” tiebreak for deciding sets (first to 11 points) is under consideration for 2027, though no decision has been made.

Key Takeaways

• Unified scoring: All five Olympic disciplines will now use 21-point sets (best of three).
• An Se-young’s impact: Her 2025 dominance exposed the limitations of the 11-point women’s singles format.
• Broadcast appeal: Longer matches align with TV schedules and commercial breaks.
• Player reaction: 87% of surveyed athletes supported the change after January’s test event.
• Controversy: Critics argue the change favors taller, more physical players.
• Next steps: The new rules debut at the 2026 BWF World Championships (August 18–24, Copenhagen).

What’s Next?

The first major test of the new format comes at the 2026 BWF World Championships in Copenhagen, where An Se-young will attempt to defend her 2025 title. With the Olympics just two years away, the rule change could reshape the competitive landscape—starting with the qualification races for Paris 2028.

For fans, the shift promises more drama, longer rallies, and a level playing field across all disciplines. For players, it’s a chance to rewrite the rules of engagement—literally.

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