Hyderabad: Badminton is set to take on a new avatar as the annual general body of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has approved a 3 x 15 points scoring system from next January.The proposal received a majority of more than two-thirds at the BWF’s annual general meeting in Horsens, Denmark on Saturday.
While 198 voted in favor of the new format, 43 voted against it.Change must be meaningful, BV Sindhu said. “We should always strive to make the sport better for players, fans, broadcasters and commercial partners. But not every change represents progress. So, my feeling would be, let’s innovate, but let’s make sure we’re solving the right problem,” Sindhu told the BWF website.Doubles specialist Satwisairaj Rankireddy told TOI that the 15-point system will suit their style.
“For our style of play, the 15-point system will be useful. But I like the 21-point game. We are playing real badminton there. It’s just like comparing Test and T20 cricket. Test cricket is what we like and enjoy the most,” Satwik said.The BWF began experimenting with the 3×15 format from May 2025 at the Mexican International Challenge. BWF also tested the current 21×3 against 15×3 and 11×5. Factors evaluated include the probability of winning, the duration of the match, the closeness of the match, and the number of high pressure or exciting points.
All data indicated that the 3×15 format consistently outperformed the other two formats.The 3×21 system was introduced in 2006. Between 2002 and 2006, the 5×7 system was implemented and abolished due to the extended match duration. Before 2002, best-of-three matches were 15 points each for men and 11 points each for women. In the 2004 Olympics 15×3 was used. Before 2006, there was an overserve system, where players only received points while serving.
In the newly adopted system, players receive points for every pool they win.Former world number one Saina Nehwal has strongly opposed the new system. Women’s Olympic champion Chen Yufei supports the 15-point system. The Chinese player said: “I support the scoring system of 15 points in three matches. With a 21-point system, matches can last for 80 or even 90 minutes, which is difficult. If it was 15 points, the matches would be shorter, the intensity would be higher, and the matches would be more exciting.”Former national coach U Vimal Kumar is also against the new regime. “Changing the current scoring system risks weakening the fundamental essence of badminton,” Vimal wrote to the Badminton Federation.