Australia will proudly host the 2027 BWF World Senior Championships in Geelong, Victoria, from 28 November to 5 December 2027. As preparations continue for this significant international event, Badminton Australia is working to ensure Australian players have a clear understanding of the pathway to participation.
Following significant interest from players around Australia, Badminton Australia would like to provide an overview of the proposed eligibility and selection process for Australian players wishing to participate in the Championships.
About the BWF World Senior Championships
The BWF World Senior Championships is the premier international event for masters/seniors players and features competition in:
- Men’s Singles
- Women’s Singles
- Men’s Doubles
- Women’s Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
The Championships are contested across age groups from 35+ through to 80+, with players required to have reached the relevant age by 1 January of the year of competition.
To have a read through the prospectus for the 2025 edition which was held in Pattaya, Thailand, please click HERE.
Australian Entry Quotas
Under BWF regulations, each BWF Member Country is entitled to enter, in each age group:
- Up to 4 men and 4 women in singles events
- Up to 8 players in men’s doubles and 8 players in women’s doubles
- Up to 8 players in mixed doubles (4 Males and 4 Females)
Where the number of interested Australian players exceeds the available quota in an event, Badminton Australia will be required to determine which players receive the available places.
Proposed Qualification Method
To provide a fair, transparent and merit-based process, Badminton Australia intends to use the 2027 Australian National Masters Championships, scheduled to be held in Sydney in March 2027 (exact dates to be confirmed), as the primary qualification event.
The Australian National Masters Championships will be conducted in the same age-group structure and event disciplines as the World Championships and will provide Australian players with a clear pathway to qualification.
Subject to final approval of the Selection Regulations, the proposed qualification process is:
- The top four eligible Australian singles players in each age group at the 2027 Australian National Masters Championships will secure automatic qualification for the World Championships.
- The top eight eligible Australian Men’s doubles players and the top eight Women’s doubles players in each age group at the 2027 Australian National Masters Championships will secure automatic qualification for the World Championships.
- The top eight eligible Australian Mixed doubles players (4 Male and 4 Female) in each age group at the 2027 Australian National Masters Championships will secure automatic qualification for the World Championships.
- Players who gain automatic qualification via the 2027 Australian National Masters Championships may choose to enter with a player from another country, and do not necessarily have to enter with the same doubles or mixed doubles partner as the one they partnered with at the Nationals.
- If fewer than four eligible players/pairs compete in a particular event, Badminton Australia will invite additional players to fill available quota positions via an open Expression of Interest form.
- Should (a) qualified player(s) or pair(s) decline their place, the next highest placed eligible player(s)/pair(s) at the Australian National masters Championships will be offered the position.
- Additional provisions for injury, exceptional circumstances and quota management will be detailed in the final Selection Regulations.
- All players that wish to compete in the Australian National Masters Championships will need to be registered members of an affiliated club in Australia.
- All players wishing to compete in the BWF World Senior Championships will require a BWF ID (info on how to acquire/request one will be made available with plenty of notice)
Why Participation in the National Masters Championships is Important
While some age groups and disciplines may not exceed Australia’s available quota, demand is expected to be particularly high given this will be the first time the event is hosted in Australia.
Accordingly, any player wishing to maximise their opportunity of competing in Geelong is strongly encouraged to compete in the 2027 Australian National Masters Championships, as this will be the principal means of securing a place in the Australian team.
Further Information
A detailed Selection Regulation, including qualification requirements, timelines, and entry procedures, will be released well in advance of the 2027 Australian National Masters Championships.
We look forward to welcoming Masters/Seniors players from across Australia and around the world to Geelong for what promises to be the largest badminton event ever held in Australia and to Sydney for the Australian National Masters Championships.
For all enquiries, please email:
Tjitte (TJ) Weistra
Chief Executive Officer
Tjitte.Weistra@badminton.org.au
Oscar Yam
Events & Communications Manager
