YONEX All England Badminton Open Championships returns for 2024
The YONEX All England Badminton Open Championships returns for its 125th anniversary in 2024, with the world’s best badminton players set to descend on Birmingham between 12-17 March.
The world’s oldest and most prestigious badminton tournament returns with a fresh visual identity, building on its rich heritage while also attracting new, younger audiences to what is an incomparable live badminton experience.
This new identity continues the YONEX All England’s long tradition of being a pioneer in the sport, setting the bar for live badminton, and bringing together fans from all over the world in a festival of the sport.
This is underpinned by a focus on the experience, with innovation not just confined to the format of the game, but on how to create a thrilling experience of attending live sport at the highest level.
From the lightning-fast speed of the shuttlecock, to the raucous roar of the truly international crowd, it is a truly memorable experience.
“The YONEX All England is very special for me and a lot of players because it has been a historical tournament and it is very important for fans,” said Christo Popov.
“When you win the All England, it is like winning the world championships. It is a really huge event, everybody is watching it.”
Since 1899, athletes from around the world have come to England to compete for titles, with a storied history weaved across 125 years of badminton.
Early iterations were dominated by home players but that quickly changed, with Tage Madsen (Denmark) and Dorothy Walton (Canada), who were the first singles winners from outside the UK and Ireland.
And the international influence has continued into the post-war period.
Indeed, it is the rich international tapestry of the YONEX All England, threaded by its status as one of the hardest tournaments to win, that is part of its folklore.
“Aside from the Olympics, it is one of the most prestigious tournaments,” said Lauren Lam. “Only the top 32 can play and it is very special.
“Everyone wants to play, everyone wants to be there so playing is such a great privilege.”
Frankie Corbett added: “I remember when I was younger and it was right when the All England was about to start, I was talking with one of the senior players and they were saying to me ‘The All England is so special because some would even say it is harder to get into than the Olympics.’
“All players want to win the Olympics but the All England is just so much more special because it is so prestigious and has such a big name.”
This year’s tournament marks yet another chapter to be written, with the world’s best once again arriving in Birmingham – the home of the YONEX All England since 1994 – for another enthralling week of action.
