Archive · 10 Aug 2026
India's BWF World Championships venue gets major facelift
Big badminton players from all over the world are coming to India for a huge tournament called the BWF World Championships.
It is the first time this championship is being held in India in 17 years.
Last January, something embarrassing happened at the India Open when pigeons landed on the court and stopped a match.
The organizers were upset, so they worked hard to fix up the old Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.
They sealed the vents and added special double doors so birds and monkeys cannot get inside.
They also put a special gel that birds do not like and machines that play sounds like scary birds.
Workers fixed the roof, painted buildings, and polished chairs to make the stadium look nicer.
Organizers are also working with city officials to keep stray dogs and monkeys away.
A special expert from Indonesia will come to check the lighting and air inside the hall.
Everyone hopes the tournament will go smoothly without any interruptions.
The BWF World Championships return to India for the first time in 17 years, hosted at Indira Gandhi Stadium from August 17 to 23.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) carried out extensive upgrades to avoid the controversies that rocked the India Open in January.
Pigeons twice halted a second-round match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew at the India Open, leading to complaints about hygiene and Delhi's smog.
Anti-bird measures include a non-toxic gel sourced from the US, portable machines mimicking predatory bird calls, sealed vents, and a double-door entry system.
SAI Executive Director Ambar Pratap Singh said the BWF is satisfied with court lighting and drift control, and an expert from Indonesia will test the facility.
SAI is in regular contact with MCD to keep stray dogs and monkeys away from the venue, with the CPWD also involved in the renovation work.
- Who
- Badminton Association of India (BAI) and Sports Authority of India (SAI), with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) overseeing the event.
- What
- Extensive renovations and anti-bird measures at Indira Gandhi Stadium ahead of the BWF World Championships.
- When
- Event runs from August 17 to 23; the announcement was made on August 10.
- Where
- Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To avoid the pigeon-related interruptions, hygiene complaints, and embarrassment that affected the India Open in January.
- Event
- BWF World Championships
- Dates
- August 17-23
- Venue
- Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi
- Organizers
- BAI and SAI, with CPWD support
- Return to India
- First time in 17 years
- Anti-bird measures
- Non-toxic US gel, predatory bird call machines, double-door entry
- Trigger for upgrades
- Pigeons halted HS Prannoy vs Loh Kean Yew match at India Open
- Key official
- SAI Executive Director Ambar Pratap Singh