The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi has received positive feedback from international badminton players ahead of the 2026 BWF World Championships. The venue has undergone a significant transformation in preparation for the prestigious tournament, with organisers seeking to ensure that players and spectators experience improved facilities throughout the competition.
The 30th edition of the BWF World Championships is being held in New Delhi from August 17 to 23. This marks the return of the prestigious tournament to India after a gap of 17 years. India last hosted the World Championships in Hyderabad in 2009.
The renewed focus on the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium comes after the venue faced criticism during the India Open earlier this year. Players and officials had raised concerns relating to cleanliness, air quality, lighting and other facilities. There were also disruptions involving birds and other animals during the tournament, creating unwanted attention around the venue.
In response, extensive renovation and improvement work was undertaken ahead of the World Championships. Reports said the upgrade involved an investment of nearly Rs 20 crore. The work included improvements to playing courts, lighting, seating and other facilities at the stadium.
The improvements have now received encouraging feedback from visiting international players. Members of the Chinese contingent were among the players who trained at the stadium ahead of the tournament and gave a positive assessment of the preparations. The response has provided a boost to organisers who have been working to ensure that the earlier concerns do not affect the World Championships.
The Badminton Association of India has also maintained that the venue is ready to host a high quality edition of the World Championships. Officials have highlighted the improvements made to the stadium and the efforts taken to address concerns that emerged during the India Open.
The upgraded venue includes improved courts and lighting arrangements. Seating areas and other facilities have also been refurbished as part of the preparations. The objective is to provide international players with conditions suitable for one of badminton's most important tournaments.
The transformation is particularly significant because the World Championships bring together the leading badminton players from around the world. More than 400 players are expected to compete in the tournament, making the quality of the venue an important factor for both players and organisers.
India will have a strong representation in the competition, with leading players including two time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and the men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty among the major attractions. Their participation has increased interest among Indian badminton fans.
The positive reaction from international shuttlers is also important for India's image as a host of major sporting events. The country has increasingly sought to organise global sporting competitions at international standards, and the BWF World Championships provide another opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities.
Organisers have taken several additional precautions to prevent disruptions during the tournament. These include measures to deal with birds and monkeys that had previously caused problems at the venue. Special arrangements have been made to keep the stadium environment suitable for athletes and spectators.
One unusual measure has attracted considerable attention. Organisers have engaged people who can imitate langur calls to discourage rhesus monkeys from entering areas around the stadium. The approach is intended to prevent disruptions without harming the animals. Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has also appreciated the effort behind the preparations.
Other preventive measures include the use of non toxic materials to discourage pigeons from entering or settling in the stadium and improvements to entry arrangements. These steps are aimed at ensuring that matches can take place without interruptions caused by birds or animals.
The renewed stadium has therefore become an important part of India's preparations for the World Championships. The contrast with the criticism faced during the India Open has also made the transformation more noticeable. Organisers are now hoping that the improvements will help the tournament proceed smoothly from the opening round through the finals.
For the visiting players, the playing environment is especially important because the World Championships represent one of the biggest events on the international badminton calendar. Players spend months preparing for the tournament, and factors such as court quality, lighting, air quality, seating arrangements and training facilities can influence their overall experience.
The tournament's return to India after 17 years adds further significance to the event. Since the 2009 World Championships in Hyderabad, Indian badminton has undergone major growth. Players from the country have established themselves at the highest international level, while badminton has gained a much larger following among Indian sports fans.
Hosting the World Championships in New Delhi provides an opportunity to showcase that progress. The improved Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium is expected to play a central role in that effort.
With international players now praising the preparations, organisers will be hoping that the focus remains firmly on badminton throughout the tournament. The ultimate test will come as matches progress and the venue handles large crowds, multiple sessions and the demands of a major international championship.
The BWF World Championships began in New Delhi on August 17 and will continue until August 23. With India's leading shuttlers competing on home soil and international stars arriving for the event, expectations are high for a memorable week of badminton.
The transformation of the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium has given organisers a fresh opportunity to demonstrate that the concerns raised earlier in the year have been addressed. The positive response from international players is an encouraging sign as New Delhi hosts the world's leading badminton players for the 2026 BWF World Championships.