Your first tournament: what the BWF regulations say about clothing, shoes and towels
The definition of clothing, matching colours in singles and doubles, shoe logos, and what the text leaves to the organisers.
Read this as a model, not as your tournament's rule
The text below comes from the BWF General Competition Regulations, Section 5.1, edition in force 11 November 2023, version 4.0 (a copy hosted by a national federation). They govern BWF sanctioned tournaments. A club or local tournament sets its own entry rules: the prospectus or the organiser is the authority. Newer editions may exist; check before you rely on a figure.
What counts as clothing
Regulation 20.1 defines an article of player clothing as anything worn or carried on the field of play, except the racket. The list includes pullovers, shirts, shorts, skirts, socks, shoes, headbands, towels, wristbands, bandages and medical supports. The racket itself is governed by the Laws (Law 4 and Law 5), not by this list.
Plain sports clothing, no tape-over
Clothing must be acceptable badminton sports clothing, and it is not acceptable to tape over or pin on advertising to comply with the rules (20.3). The referee's decision on these points is final (20.5).
Colours in singles and doubles
- Any colour or combination of colours is allowed (21.1).
- In singles, you keep the same colour and design of shirt and shorts throughout the match, and no change of colours is allowed (21.4).
- In doubles, both partners wear shirts and shorts of the same colour and similar design throughout the match, and no change of colours is allowed (21.5).
- If opponents are not in significantly different colours, the lower-ranked player or pair must change (21.6). The text gives rules for that case; it does not say what a first-time entrant should do, so ask the organiser.
Shoes
In the sections we read, the only rule that sets a condition on shoes is about advertising: shoe advertising is accepted if that make and model is available on the open market (24.3.2). The text does not set a sole type, a cushioning level or a weight. Any rule about the floor of your hall is for the venue to state; ask.
What to take from this
- Ask for the entry rules of your tournament before you buy a matching kit with a partner.
- Do not plan to change shirt colour during a match in a BWF event.
- Towels, wristbands and bandages are clothing in this text.
- Do not tape over or hide a logo to "fix" it; ask the referee.