BWF begins to Test 3×15 Scoring System : What It Means for the Future of Badminton
- WeiDan Sports
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced the beginning of the testing phase for the new 3×15 scoring system, marking a significant development in the world of badminton. This comes after years of discussions and experimentation aimed at improving the game's speed, spectator engagement, and overall competitiveness. With the new system being tested at various international tournaments, it is crucial to understand how this scoring format works, its potential benefits, and the reasoning behind the BWF's decision to implement these changes.
Now it is in the phase of testing in the following tournaments, and V Mexican International Challenge 2025 (7-11 May 2025) will be the first tournament to test the new scoring system. Based on the feedback of the testing process from and all stakeholders, including Member Association leadership and staff, host organizers and their volunteers, players, coaches, team managers, and technical officials, BWF Council will make a final decision regarding proposing this new system to the BWF Annual General Meeting 2026.
The following Grade 3 tournaments will run the 3×15 scoring system:
V Mexican International Challenge 2025 (7-11 May 2025)
Venezuela Future Series 2025 (10-14 June 2025)
Czech International Future Series 2025 (19-22 June 2025)
DOVE Saipan International 2025 (12-16 August 2025)
PETRONAS Malaysia International Challenge 2025 (12-17 August 2025)
Peru International Series 2025 (17-21 September 2025)
Kampala International 2025 (25-28 September 2025)
ROKETTO Sydney International 2025 (8-12 October 2025)
LI-NING Vietnam International Series 2025 (21-26 October 2025)
China International Challenge 2025 (28 October – 2 November 2025)
Understanding the 3×15 Scoring System
In traditional badminton, matches are played with a 21-point rally scoring system, with players needing to win two games to secure victory. In the 3×15 format, however, matches would consist of three games of 15 points each, with each game being played to 15 points instead of the usual 21. The first player to reach 15 points wins the game, and the match is decided by the best of three games.
To elaborate:
Three Games of 15 Points: The primary feature of the 3×15 system is the reduction in game length. Each game is played to 15 points rather than the 21 points seen in the current system.
Side Change: As in the traditional format, players will switch sides after the first game and after the second game in case of a tie. This ensures fairness in terms of court conditions and environmental factors.
Rally Scoring: The system continues to use rally scoring, meaning a point is awarded on every rally, regardless of who serves.
This change is designed to speed up the game, making each match more dynamic, with fewer long rallies and extended games. A quicker resolution of points also leads to less fatigue, which can improve player performance and spectator enjoyment.
Milestones in the Development of the 3×15 System
The road to the testing phase of the 3×15 scoring system has not been without its challenges. Here's a look at the major milestones that have led to this point:
Initial Proposals and Testing (2014-2015): The idea of adjusting the scoring system in badminton has been discussed for years, but it wasn’t until the 2014 and 2015 seasons that experimental formats began to be trialed at lower-tier tournaments. Initially, the BWF experimented with various scoring formats, including the 11-point system and the 15-point system, but results were mixed, and feedback from players and coaches remained a key factor in further refinements.
Consultation with Players and Coaches (2016-2018): The BWF sought input from players, coaches, and other stakeholders on various scoring proposals. There were concerns about maintaining fairness, competitiveness, and ensuring the integrity of the game. After several rounds of feedback, the BWF fine-tuned the 3×15 system, ensuring it would not compromise the essence of the sport.
Pilot Testing (2019): Pilot events and smaller-scale trials were held, where players and audiences experienced the 3×15 format in live competition settings. These tests helped the BWF to fine-tune several details, such as the length of breaks between games and the impact on pacing.
Ongoing Testing Phase (2025): The most recent milestone involves the BWF's commitment to continue testing the 3×15 system at select international events in 2025. These tests will offer data-driven insights into player performance, match statistics, and fan engagement before any official decision on the system's permanent adoption is made.
Official Implementation (Future Plans): While the current testing phase is still ongoing, the BWF plans to analyze the results over the next several months, with the potential for the system to be fully adopted at the highest levels of international competition, including World Championships and the Olympics.
Why Is the BWF Introducing This Change?
The BWF's decision to experiment with a new scoring system stems from several factors that reflect both evolving trends in the sport and changing demands from players, coaches, and fans. Here are the primary reasons why the BWF is exploring the 3×15 scoring format:
Improved Spectator Engagement: One of the primary motivations for this change is to make matches more exciting and accessible for fans. The current system, with longer games and rallies, can sometimes lead to drawn-out matches that may not keep the attention of casual viewers. The shorter, more intense 3×15 format aims to provide quicker, more dramatic matches that may appeal to both in-person audiences and TV viewers, helping to grow badminton’s global following.
Player Fatigue and Performance: Longer matches can be physically taxing, especially in high-stakes tournaments. By shortening the game length, the BWF hopes to reduce the level of fatigue experienced by players, leading to higher levels of performance throughout a match. This could be particularly beneficial for maintaining quality across multiple rounds of competition.
Aligning with Other Sports: Many other major sports, such as tennis, have moved toward scoring systems that offer faster, more action-packed games. The BWF is keen to keep badminton competitive in a landscape where time-efficient and fan-friendly formats are increasingly in demand. The 3×15 system is designed to follow this trend by shortening matches without sacrificing the competitiveness or excitement of the sport.
Balancing Tradition with Innovation: While the BWF has received some pushback from traditionalists who prefer the current scoring system, the 3×15 format seeks to balance innovation with the traditional essence of the game. By keeping the match structure based on the familiar best-of-three format, players and fans can still enjoy the core aspects of badminton while benefiting from the faster-paced action.
Increased Sponsorship and Broadcast Interest: As the popularity of badminton continues to grow, especially in Asia and Europe, the BWF recognizes the importance of television ratings and sponsorships in the sport’s financial future. A shorter, more dynamic format has the potential to capture greater interest from broadcasters and sponsors, translating into increased revenue for the sport at all levels.
Conclusion: What’s Next for the 3×15 System?
As testing of the 3×15 scoring system begins in 2025, the badminton world waits with bated breath to see how it will impact the game. While it’s still too early to say whether the system will become the new standard for top-level competition, the ongoing experimentation will offer valuable insights into the future of badminton.
Ultimately, the 3×15 system aims to address the evolving needs of the sport, providing faster, more exciting matches for players and fans alike. By offering a potential solution to the challenges of player fatigue, spectator engagement, and global competitiveness, the BWF hopes to enhance badminton's place in the global sports landscape for years to come. Fans can look forward to an exciting future as the testing phase progresses and more tournaments adopt this innovative new format
Comments