GUWAHATI: The 2028 India Open Super 750 badminton tournament will be held in Guwahati instead of New Delhi due to Republic Day security arrangements in the national capital, Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary general Sanjay Mishra said on Sunday, August 23.
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The tournament is scheduled to take place from January 25 to 30, 2028. Mishra said the dates coincide with the security arrangements for Republic Day in New Delhi, making it difficult to host the tournament in the capital that year. The tournament will return to New Delhi in 2029.
“The 2028 India Open will be held in the last week of January. As the tournament dates coincide with security arrangements in the national capital, we felt it would be appropriate to shift the tournament to Guwahati for that year. It will return to New Delhi in 2029,” Mishra told reporters.
Guwahati has previously hosted major international badminton events, including the BWF World Junior Championships in 2025.
The India Open's January-February scheduling has faced criticism from international players over winter conditions and air pollution in New Delhi. Some top players have skipped the tournament in recent editions and called for the event to be moved to a different time of the year.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has scheduled the 2027 India Open from February 2 to 7 at the IG Stadium in New Delhi. The tournament will then shift to Guwahati for the 2028 edition before returning to New Delhi in 2029.
BAI has also submitted a bid to host the 2028 Thomas and Uber Cup. Mishra said India is hopeful of securing the hosting rights, although other countries are also in contention.
The announcement came after the conclusion of the BWF World Championships 2026 in India. BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul praised India's hosting of the championships, commending the organisers, government agencies and the Sports Authority of India for delivering the event and facilities for players and team officials.