1 week ago
India Open 2028 Moves to Guwahati Amid Republic Day Clash
The India Open is a major badminton tournament.
In 2028, it will be played in Guwahati instead of New Delhi.
The matches are scheduled for January 25 to 30.
Those dates are close to India’s Republic Day on January 26.
Officials say security arrangements could make travel, practice, and tournament operations difficult in New Delhi.
Some players have also complained about pollution and cold conditions during the Delhi winter.
The tournament is expected to return to New Delhi in 2029.
India has also applied to host another major badminton event called the Thomas and Uber Cup in 2028.
The 2028 India Open Super 750 will be held in Guwahati from January 25 to 30.
The tournament is moving from New Delhi for one edition because its dates overlap with Republic Day security arrangements.
The National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati will replace New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium as the venue.
Organizers said the move will make player movement, practice, security, and tournament logistics easier.
The Badminton Association of India has also bid to host the 2028 Thomas and Uber Cup, while the India Open is expected to return to New Delhi in 2029.
- Who
- The Badminton Association of India, secretary general Sanjay Mishra, the Badminton World Federation, and participating badminton players.
- What
- The 2028 India Open Super 750 will move from New Delhi to Guwahati for one edition; India has also bid to host the 2028 Thomas and Uber Cup.
- Where
- The 2028 tournament will be held at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati instead of New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
- When
- The 2028 India Open is scheduled for January 25–30; the 2027 edition is scheduled for February 2–7, and the event is expected to return to New Delhi in 2029.
- Why
- BAI said the dates conflict with Republic Day security arrangements in New Delhi, creating movement and logistical difficulties. Players have separately cited winter air pollution and cold indoor conditions.
Organizers’ rationale
Players’ concerns
Reason for the venue change
Organizers’ rationale
The Badminton Association of India said the January 25–30 dates overlap with Republic Day security arrangements in New Delhi, making player movement, practice, and tournament operations difficult.
Players’ concerns
Players, including Anders Antonsen, Thom Gicquel, and Delphine Delrue, have criticized the January-February window because of New Delhi’s air pollution and cold indoor conditions.
Venue change versus schedule change
Organizers’ rationale
BAI described the move to Guwahati as a one-edition arrangement and said the India Open should return to New Delhi in 2029.
Players’ concerns
Players have urged the Badminton World Federation to change the month of the India Open, arguing that a different scheduling window would address the recurring winter concerns.
Key facts
- Tournament
- India Open Super 750
- 2028 dates
- January 25–30, 2028
- 2028 venue
- National Centre of Excellence, Guwahati
- Usual New Delhi venue
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium
- Official reason for move
- Republic Day security arrangements and related logistical difficulties
- Player concerns
- New Delhi’s winter air pollution and cold indoor stadium conditions
- Other BAI bid
- Hosting the 2028 Thomas and Uber Cup
- Expected return
- The India Open is expected to return to New Delhi in 2029
Quotes
Sanjay Mishra
General secretary of the Badminton Association of India
“The 2027 India Open will happen in India. But for 2028, we might shift it to Guwahati because around 25th January to 30th January clashes with the 26th January celebration. In this area, it becomes very difficult for players’ movement, for practice, and for the tournament as well.”
indianexpress.com
“The 2028 India Open will be held in the last week of January and due to the tournament dates clashing with Republic Day security arrangements in the National capital, we felt that only for that year, we should shift the tournament to Guwahati. It will return to New Delhi in 2029”
news18.com
timesnownews.com
Patama Leeswadtrakul
President of the Badminton World Federation
“It was a better atmosphere compared to India Open when it’s not the same, and also it’s hard to breathe and the quality of the tournament is not as good as this week, so it was really good for us, and we hope that the BWF will change the month that when they host India Open, because in January it’s not very good for us.”
news18.com
“India waited 17 years for this moment, and India made every year count.”
news18.com
Sources
India Open 2028 edition to be held in Guwahati: BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra
Guwahati To India Open Badminton Tournament In 2028 From January 25 To 30
BREAKING: India Open 2028 shifted to Guwahati; BAI bids for Thomas & Uber Cup
India Open 2028 Shifted From New Delhi To Guwahati - Here Is Why
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