Badminton: 15-point games become the standard from January 2027
The BWF approved the 3x15 scoring system in April 2026; games will be played to 15 instead of 21 points from early January 2027.
What happened
At its annual general meeting in Horsens, Denmark, on 25 April 2026, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) approved a new scoring system called 3x15: the match stays best of three games, but each game is played to 15 points instead of 21, according to Free Malaysia Today and IANS. The change takes effect in January 2027. The 21-point format had been in place since 2006.
What changes on court
According to the explainer by SAYS, the new system starts on 4 January 2027 and works like this: a player needs a two-point lead once the score reaches 14-all, the game ends at 21 if it reaches 20-all (the old cap was 30), the mid-game interval comes at 8 points instead of 11, and in a deciding third game players change ends when the leader reaches 8. The rally-point system is unchanged and the 120-second break between games stays. We could not check these details against the BWF's own page, which did not open for us, so treat them as reported by one outlet.
Votes and reactions
IANS reports that the proposal passed 198-43, above the two-thirds majority required; Free Malaysia Today says only that it passed with the required majority. BWF president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said the decision does not change the basic character of badminton. IANS adds that the BWF wants games to be "shorter, sharper, and more interesting for fans", while world No. 1 Shi Yuqi and Denmark's Anders Antonsen have raised concerns, as paraphrased by the agency.
Why it matters
Club players are not forced to follow: SAYS notes that 3x21 remains an approved option for domestic competitions. If you play friendly matches, a 15-point game is a handy way to fit more rallies into a short court slot.