The 2026 Shanghai City Amateur League “Joyful Changning” Challenge Wang Yihan Badminton Tournament is scheduled to take place on October 25, 2026, at the badminton hall on the seventh floor of the Ledong Hongqiao Center, located at No. 70 Ziyun West Road in Changning District, according to tournament organizers.
Marking its ninth year, the grassroots tournament is independently organized by Five Sports to encourage community participation across Shanghai. The event features exclusively doubles matches divided into five age-sum brackets rather than gender categories. The age brackets require the combined age of both teammates to meet specific minimum thresholds: Doubles Group A requires a combined age of at least 45 years, Group B requires at least 55 years, Group C at least 65 years, Group D at least 75 years, and Group E at least 85 years. All participating players must be under 45 years of age, meaning they must have been born on or after January 1, 1981.
Tournament Schedule and Venue Details at Ledong Hongqiao Center
Check-in for the tournament will begin at 8:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, October 25, 2026, with matches officially commencing at 9:30 a.m. at the Ledong Hongqiao Center venue in Changning District. Each of the five age-sum categories is capped at a maximum of 24 pairs. Players registered in higher age groups are permitted to enter lower age groups, though the reverse is not allowed. Organizers noted that if any category fails to reach a minimum threshold of four participating pairs, the organizing committee reserves the right to merge those registrants into another bracket or cancel the division within two working days following the close of registration.
Participants must present a medical clearance certificate proving good health prior to competing. Professional athletes are strictly barred from entry. Once registration closes, the roster will be posted on the official Five Sports WeChat account for a one-day public review period under a public reporting system.
Match Rules and Handicap Scoring System for the Finals Stage
Competition play will follow the latest badminton rules authorized by the Chinese Badminton Association alongside regulations issued by the Badminton World Federation. The tournament format utilizes a preliminary group round-robin stage followed by a single-elimination knockout stage, with the exact number of advancing entries determined by overall registration numbers. All matches will be contested as a single 21-point game under a rally-scoring system with a 21-point cap and no extra-point extensions. Players will switch sides when one side reaches 11 points.
To balance competition across different team compositions, a handicap scoring system applies to matches between different doubles pairings. When women’s doubles face mixed doubles, the mixed doubles pair concede a 4-point handicap. When mixed doubles face men’s doubles, the men’s doubles pair concede 4 points. When women’s doubles face men’s doubles, the men’s doubles pair concede 8 points. Competing athletes must bring valid identification, such as a citizen identity card or passport, to the venue for inspection.
The tournament organizers will provide event insurance for all registered competitors, while participants remain responsible for their own transportation, lodging, and medical expenses. Five Sports will broadcast the tournament finals starting at 2:30 p.m. on October 25 across its official video channel, Weibo, and Douyin accounts. Wang Pengren and Wang Yihan are scheduled to make a guest appearance at the venue for the final matches.
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