Why France Was Chosen: Development and Infrastructure

According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the selection of France as host was driven by three key factors: the country’s rapidly expanding badminton infrastructure, its successful bid process, and the federation’s commitment to junior athlete development.

France has invested €12 million in badminton facilities since 2020, including the €8 million renovation of the National Badminton Center in Toulouse, which now serves as the primary training hub for junior athletes. The center’s state-of-the-art courts and performance labs were cited by BWF officials as a decisive factor in the decision.

In comparison, the 2024 European Junior Championships in Spain were held in a converted sports hall with limited training facilities. France’s infrastructure now matches that of established badminton nations like Denmark and Indonesia, where junior development programs have produced Olympic medalists.

What This Means for Junior Badminton in Europe

The 2028 championships will mark the first time France has hosted a major BWF junior event, following its debut at the 2026 European Seniors Championships. FFBaD President Jean-Luc Lamotte stated in an official press release that the award “validates our long-term strategy to develop badminton as a mainstream sport in France.”

Key implications include:

• Increased visibility: The event is expected to attract 1,200 junior athletes from 40+ European nations, with media coverage projected to reach 5 million viewers across European broadcasters.
• Youth participation surge: France’s school badminton program, which currently engages 35,000 students annually, aims to double participation by 2028 through the championships’ legacy initiatives.
• Coaching pipeline: The event will serve as a qualification platform for France’s national junior team, with top performers earning spots in the BWF World Junior Circuit.

For context, the 2022 European Junior Championships in Poland saw 1,100 athletes compete, but France’s bid emphasized its ability to deliver a higher-profile event with stronger commercial and developmental outcomes.

Competition Format and Key Dates

The championships will follow the standard BWF junior competition format, featuring:

• Five disciplines: Men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles
• Qualification rounds beginning July 1, 2028 (UTC+2, local time)
• Knockout stages concluding July 10, 2028
• Medal matches broadcast live on Eurosport and France’s national sports channel, L’Équipe 21

Venues will include:

• Primary venue: Grand Hotel Toulouse (capacity: 3,500)
• Training center: National Badminton Center (Toulouse)
• Media center: Toulouse Metropole Convention Centre

Unlike previous European Junior Championships, which often relied on temporary installations, France’s permanent facilities will allow for year-round training programs to continue alongside the event.

How This Compares to Past European Junior Hosts

France joins a select group of nations that have hosted multiple European Junior Championships. Here’s how the 2028 event stacks up against recent editions:

While France’s athlete numbers are slightly lower than Germany’s 2026 event, officials emphasize that the quality of training facilities and the event’s integration with France’s national development plan will deliver more sustainable growth.

What’s Next for France’s Badminton Development

The 2028 championships represent the first step in France’s three-phase badminton development strategy:

1. 2025-2027: Expansion of regional training academies in Lyon, Paris, and Bordeaux
2. 2028: European Junior Championships with integrated talent identification programs
3. 2029-2032: Bid for 2032 European Seniors Championships (co-hosted with Germany)

FFBaD’s technical director Pierre Dubois noted that “this award puts us on track to produce our first Olympic badminton medalist by 2036.” The timeline aligns with France’s successful track record in other sports, including its 2024 Olympic medal haul where badminton was the only team sport without representation.

For junior athletes, the championships will serve as a key qualifier for the 2029 BWF World Junior Championships, with the top eight finishers in each discipline earning automatic qualification.