Badminton Stars Visit Ruhr Area | Latest News

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Mülheim an der Ruhr. The crowd favorites Christo and Toma Junior Popov from France, who are both causing a sensation in international tournaments in two disciplines, the Danish medal guarantees in men’s doubles, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, the 2021 Olympic champion and reigning vice world champion in women’s singles from China as well as the top 3 in the world rankings in mixed doubles: for the YONEX German Open Badminton Championships in Mülheim an der Many of the world’s best players have also registered for Ruhr this year.

For example, eleven athletes who are currently in the top 20 in the world rankings want to compete in the men’s singles. In the women’s singles, twelve badminton aces from the top 20 have announced their attendance – including five players who are among the top ten athletes in the world in the BWF World Ranking. In the men’s doubles, there are just as many pairings from the top 10 registered, including the 2024 Olympic silver medalists from China and the two-time Olympic bronze medalists from Malaysia. The competition in women’s doubles will be led by the four-time European champions from Bulgaria, while in mixed doubles there could be a repeat of the final at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2025, in which the current world number one and two (both from China) faced off.

“We are very pleased that the field of participants is so strong again this year. This shows once again that the world’s best players appreciate the organization and atmosphere at the YONEX German Open. I am sure that we will once again experience fantastic performances on the six days of the event,” tournament director Tamara Geeraerts looks forward to the 67th International Badminton Championships in Germany.

The event, which will be held from February 24th to March 1st, 2026 in the Westenergie sports hall, is once again the start of the first tournament series in Europe on the HSBC BWF World Tour: From the Ruhr area, the athletes will go to events in England, Switzerland and France. In addition to important points for the world rankings and e.g. For example, for qualification for the 2026 Individual World Championships in India, this time there is $250,000 to be won at the tournament in the “HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300” category – which is even more than in 2025.

According to the first version of the so-called “Main & Qualifying Report” (as of January 23, 2026), the local heroes in the women’s singles, men’s singles and women’s doubles have each secured a starting place in the most important tournament for the German Badminton Association (DBV), while two pairs from Germany can compete in the men’s doubles and three in the mixed doubles in front of the home fans. If there are short-term cancellations in the current field of participants, further German athletes and duos could move up from the reserve list into the qualification. The final field of participants will only be determined after the Team Managers’ Meeting, which will be held the day before the tournament begins.

Information about the YONEX German Open 2026 schedule and advance ticket sales can be found on the event website www.german-open-badminton.de available. The link to the ticket shop can also be found there. Admission tickets can once again only be purchased online before the tournament begins. During the week of the event, there will be a box office at the Westenergie sports hall where remaining tickets will be available.

In 2026, the company YONEX will act as the main and title sponsor of the International Badminton Championships in Germany for the 38th time in a row. The YONEX German Open is also supported by Westenergie, the namesake of the venue, among others. The prestigious tournament premiered in Bonn in 1955. The city of Mülheim an der Ruhr will be the host in 2026 for the 26th time in history.

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