Top-level badminton is fast, skilful and great to watch, but it is not always obvious where to find it in the UK. Most international tournaments are streamed online rather than shown on mainstream TV, and some of the biggest events take place in Asia, which means early-morning starts for UK viewers. This guide explains where you can legally watch badminton in 2026, which events to put in the diary and how to follow results when you cannot watch live.
Where to watch badminton in the UK
BWF TV on YouTube
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) runs its own YouTube channel, BWF TV, which is linked from the official BWF website. The official sites for the BWF World Championships and the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals both point fans to BWF TV, alongside live scores in the BWF Match Centre. It is the first place to check for live matches, highlights and full replays from World Tour events. What is streamed live can vary by tournament and by country, so check the channel's schedule for each event.
BBC coverage of the YONEX All England
The YONEX All England Open in Birmingham is the one event that regularly appears on the BBC. For the 2026 tournament, the BBC showed the finals day live, with all five finals on BBC iPlayer, the Red Button and the BBC Sport website and app. Coverage arrangements are confirmed close to each tournament, so check the BBC Sport badminton page nearer the time for 2027 details.
Courtside TV from Badminton England
Badminton England has its own streaming service, Courtside TV, which it describes as its official streaming and video-on-demand platform. It carries live events and an archive, including court-by-court replays from domestic events such as the YONEX All England Junior Championships. Some content requires you to log in or buy a pass, so check the details on the site.
Official tournament channels
Each major event has its own website and social channels with highlights, interviews and live scores. The YONEX All England website, for example, posts match videos from each round of the tournament after it finishes.
The key events in the badminton calendar
YONEX All England Open
Held at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, the All England is the oldest badminton tournament in the world, first staged in 1899. The BBC notes that it is one of four Super 1000 events on the BWF World Tour, alongside the Malaysia, China and Indonesia Opens. The next edition is in March 2027, and tickets are on sale now. If you can go in person, it is the best way to see world-class badminton in the UK.
BWF World Championships
The individual world title is decided at the World Championships. The 2026 edition was held in New Delhi from 17 to 23 August, according to the official championships site. Dates and host cities for 2027 onwards are confirmed by BWF separately, so keep an eye on that site.
HSBC BWF World Tour Finals
The season finale brings together the top players from the year's World Tour rankings. The 2026 Finals are scheduled for 9 to 13 December in Hangzhou, China, according to the 2026–27 calendar published by the Badminton Association of India. Check the official World Tour Finals site for the schedule. Because of the time difference, sessions will be in the UK morning.
Olympics and Commonwealth Games
Badminton was not on the programme at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The next Olympic badminton is at LA28, where BWF says the competition will be held at the Galen Center from 15 to 24 July 2028.
A big change coming in 2027
If you watch a lot of badminton, you will notice a difference from January. The BWF has voted to move from games to 21 points to games to 15, with the change taking effect from 4 January 2027. Matches will still be best of three games.
Tips for following badminton
- Use the official live scores. The BWF Match Centre, linked from each event's official website, gives point-by-point scores and draws, which is ideal when you cannot watch.
- Check the time zone. Many World Tour events are in Asia, so live play often falls in the early hours or morning in the UK.
- Subscribe to BWF TV. Turning on notifications for the YouTube channel is the easiest way to know when a stream or highlights package goes live.
- Follow your national body. Badminton England, Badminton Wales, Badminton Scotland and Badminton Ireland all share news and results on home players.
- Watch the BBC Sport badminton page. It covers major results and confirms how to watch the All England each year.
- Avoid unofficial streams. They are often unreliable, can carry malware and do not support the sport. The official options above cover most events.
Play like the pros
Watching the world's best is one of the easiest ways to pick up ideas for your own game, from footwork to shot selection. When you are ready to take that inspiration onto court, browse our Yonex range, the brand behind the All England, and read our badminton blog for kit guides, technique tips and news from the tour.