Andrew Pace
Badminton is a racquet sport played by two opposing players or two opposing pairs who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court divided by a net. The sport is named after the Badminton estate in Gloucestershire, England, where it was first played in 1873. Today, badminton is played in many countries around the world, with varying levels of popularity. For example, Indonesia is the only country that has badminton as its national sport, while in China, there are over 100 million players. In other countries, such as Scotland and Wales, badminton is experiencing rapid growth due to its inclusivity and accessibility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people who play badminton globally | 300 million |
| Number of people who frequently play badminton in the US | 1,362,000 |
| Year when badminton was first played in the US | 1878 |
| Number of badminton players in New Zealand | 120,000 |
| Number of people who play badminton in China | 100 million |
| Number of members in the Badminton World Federation | 47 |
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What You'll Learn
Badminton's popularity in the US
Badminton is not a popular sport in the United States. There are several reasons for its lack of popularity. Firstly, badminton is often seen as a backyard sport in the US, which has hindered its growth. Another reason is the lack of Olympic success for American athletes in the sport. The US men's and women's national teams have had limited success at the Summer Olympics. This lack of success, combined with the low wages in badminton, means the sport receives little media attention in the US. Participants can earn up to $15,000 for winning a championship, which is significantly less than the average salary of a football player, for example.
The lack of star athletes in badminton in the US is another factor in its low popularity. Tennis is the most popular racquet sport in the US, with legendary athletes such as Serena Williams and Andre Agassi. Badminton does not have the same level of star power, and young people rarely dream of becoming badminton stars. The sport's infrastructure in the US also plays a role in its lack of popularity. Most American badminton players struggle to progress beyond the first round of competitions, and the country is not consistently winning titles in major international events. This is in contrast to Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and India, which have well-resourced badminton programs and infrastructure from the school level up to professional leagues.
The biggest period of badminton popularity in the United States was between 1949 and 1967. During this time, the United States won 23 championships, and in 1955, Sports Illustrated featured Joe Alston to recognize the country's successes in badminton. However, badminton has failed to regain this level of popularity in the US. In recent years, the number of people participating in badminton in the US has been in decline. In 2017, the number of participants aged six years and older was approximately 6.43 million, but this number has likely decreased since then.
Despite the low popularity of badminton in the US, there have been some notable American badminton players. Beiwen Zhang, for example, is currently ranked 16th in the world, with a record of 290 wins and 170 losses. She has made over $250,000 in prize money. Lee, the former USAB Board of Directors Chair, is a nine-time United States doubles champion and has been inducted into the United States Badminton Walk of Fame. These players have achieved success in badminton, but their impact on the sport's popularity in the US is limited due to the various cultural and structural factors that contribute to badminton's niche status in the country.
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China's badminton domination
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles). It is played on a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by using their racquets to strike a shuttlecock so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponent's half of the court.
Badminton is huge in China, with over 100 million players. The country has dominated the world championships, with 167 medals overall. China's success in badminton can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the country has a large population and wealth, allowing them to invest significant resources into the sport. Secondly, badminton is taken very seriously in China, with players being trained from a young age. The government also supports badminton players by providing them with housing, food, and training programs. China's focus on intense winter training and peaking at major events has contributed to their success.
China's badminton team has experienced a period of dominance for over 20 years, especially under the leadership of head coach Li Yong Bo. During this time, they achieved remarkable success, including winning 4 out of 5 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in 2012. However, in recent years, their dominance has faced challenges. The retirement of key players, such as Li Junhui, and the rise of competitors like Japan and Indonesia, have contributed to a decline in China's dominance.
China's approach to player development and training is worth noting. They focus on training players from a young age, starting as early as four years old. This long-term development strategy allows them to build a strong foundation for their badminton program. Additionally, the Chinese badminton community recognizes the importance of having a strong talent pool. They understand that by having a large number of talented players, they can foster competition and drive improvement within their ranks.
China's badminton success has also been influenced by their strategic decisions. They are known for fielding their top players only in significant tournaments, avoiding giving other countries excessive practice against their best players. This strategy, combined with their intense training regimens and government support, has contributed to China's past dominance in badminton.
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Badminton in the UK
Badminton is a popular sport in the UK, especially among Gen Z. In fact, a recent EY survey of 4000 Gen Z individuals found that badminton was the fifth most engaged sport in terms of playing, watching, and following. This is in contrast to the general population in the UK, where badminton is not among the top 10 most popular sports.
Badminton England's 10-year strategy aims to increase participation levels and develop the sport's infrastructure, coaching, and junior pathways. The strategy has already shown success, with a record number of children and young people participating in badminton in the 2022/23 academic year. This number is estimated to be 421,400 children and young people aged 5-16, representing a 5.7% participation rate, a slight increase from the previous year's rate of 5.3%.
Badminton England also reported that the number of participants in the 2017/18 academic year was 350,700, an increase of more than 30,000 from the previous year (388,700 estimated participants). This increase was driven by initiatives such as Kids for a Quid and The Racket Pack project, with the highest growth reported in secondary schools (Years 7-11).
Badminton clubs and after-school initiatives are also contributing to the sport's popularity among Gen Z. 'No Strings' badminton sessions, for example, are targeted at players who cannot commit months in advance to clubs and are designed to be social and non-competitive.
The sport of badminton has a long history in the UK, with its roots tracing back to ancient Greece, China, and India. The game was first played in Gloucestershire, England, on the estate of the 9th Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset, around 1873, and was named after this Badminton estate. The Bath Badminton Club was established in 1877, introducing new rules to the game, and the Badminton Association of England (BAE) was formed in 1893, further standardizing the rules and regulations. The first All England Open Badminton Championships, considered the world's first badminton tournament, took place in 1899, marking the beginning of badminton's global expansion. Today, the All-England Championships is one of the best-known badminton tournaments, along with the Olympic Games, BWF World Championships, and BWF World Tour Finals.
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Badminton in New Zealand
Badminton has been a popular sport in New Zealand for over a century. The earliest badminton matches in the country were likely played in the mid-19th century by people who had learned the game in England or India. The first badminton equipment was advertised for sale in Wellington as early as 1874, and regular play began around 1900 with the formation of the Auckland Badminton Club. In 1925, the Auckland, Whanganui, and Napier clubs combined to form the New Zealand Badminton Association, later known as Badminton New Zealand. The first national championships were held in Whanganui in 1927. Today, Badminton New Zealand has 27 regional member associations and organises the New Zealand Open badminton tournament.
New Zealand has a strong history of competing in international badminton tournaments. The country has participated in the Thomas Cup for men and the Uber Cup for women, and badminton has been a Commonwealth Games sport since 1966 and an Olympic sport since 1992. In 2012, about 120,000 New Zealanders played badminton, with approximately 12,000 of those playing regularly. These players were members of the 27 regional associations represented nationally by Badminton New Zealand.
New Zealand has also made its mark in the world of Para badminton, with Wojtek Czyz becoming the country's first Para badminton player to represent New Zealand at the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024. Czyz, a four-time Paralympic champion, took up Para badminton three years ago after settling in New Zealand. He has an impressive sporting background, having represented Germany at three Paralympic Games and winning seven medals in Para athletics.
The inclusion of Para badminton in the Paralympic Games has further boosted the sport's popularity in New Zealand. With the continued efforts of Badminton New Zealand and the success of players like Wojtek Czyz, badminton is set to thrive in the country for years to come.
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Badminton in the Special Olympics
Badminton is a popular sport that is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide, and it is also a part of the Special Olympics movement. The sport is played by two opposing players or two opposing pairs, who stand on opposite halves of a rectangular court divided by a net. Points are scored by hitting a shuttlecock with a racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in the opponent's half of the court.
The fundamental difference between Special Olympics competitions and those of other sports organizations is their encouragement of athletes of all ability levels to participate, with recognition given to every athlete's performance. Special Olympics coaches play a crucial role in helping athletes reach their best level of skill and performance. The organization provides various resources, such as videos, brochures, rules, fact sheets, and event management guides, to support coaches in their efforts.
The benefits of participating in badminton in the Special Olympics extend beyond physical health. Francisca Belén Baldevenito Guadalupe, a Special Olympics Chile badminton player, shared how practicing badminton helps her stay healthy and provides an opportunity to represent her country and school while making new friends. The expansion of badminton in the Special Olympics movement aligns with its mission to create a more inclusive world, ensuring that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to sports training, competition, coaching, and equipment.
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Frequently asked questions
More than 300 million people play badminton globally.
It's hard to say exactly how many people play badminton competitively, but there are over 700 million badminton fans globally, and the sport is broadcast to more than 650 million households.
As of 2008, 1,362,000 people played badminton throughout the year in the United States.
