From 2027 onwards, the world of badminton will undergo a pivotal change - Photo: PA
On the evening of April 25th, the BWF Annual General Meeting (AGM) officially announced a historic change to badminton. Accordingly, the number of points awarded for winning each set will be reduced from 21 to 15.
A vote was held by members of the BWF. The result was 198 votes in favor of changing the rules, while only 43 votes were against.
The BWF has also decided that these new rules will officially be implemented from the beginning of 2027. Until the end of 2026, tournaments will continue to use the old 3-set, 21-point (3x21) rules.
In fact, this is not a sudden proposal. Since the end of 2024, the BWF has identified the 3-round, 15-point (3x15) rule as the preferred option after comparing it with other models such as 5-round, 11-point (5x11), or another variation of 3x21 (shortening the final round).
In 2025, this system will be tested at lower-level and junior world championships to collect real-world data on match duration, exercise intensity, and athlete reactions.
The BWF believes that shortening the score will make the match "more intense right from the first rallies," and also increase the appeal to spectators as crucial points are scored earlier.
This is what badminton has been pursuing for many years, in the context of increasingly fierce competition in the sports world regarding commercial aspects and television broadcasting rights between different sports.
Within the group of racket sports alone – from tennis to badminton, table tennis, or even pickleball – players are always faced with the dilemma of which sport to choose to pursue.
Therefore, reducing the number of winning points per game from 21 to 15 is seen as a step forward for amateur badminton, making matches more "accessible" to the average player.
However, this proposal immediately sparked a major controversy in the world of top-level badminton. Many argued that reducing the ranking from 21 to 15 points would profoundly alter the tactical structure of top-level badminton.
Throughout its century-long history, badminton has been no stranger to such experiments. From its inception in the late 19th century, the sport has used a traditional 15-point system.
In 2002, the International Badminton Federation (the predecessor of the BWF) experimented with a five-set, seven-point format to shorten match times, but it was unsuccessful and quickly abandoned.
The biggest turning point came in 2006 when the 3x21 rally point system was implemented. This system allowed points to be scored on every rally, standardizing match duration globally.
Previously, the player could only score points on their own serve – winning the opponent's serve only earned them the right to serve again.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lang-cau-long-co-thay-doi-lich-su-ket-thuc-luat-21-diem-20260425213246533.htm
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