
Badminton players' earnings depend on their ranking, event, funding, and marketability. While the sport is not one of the top-earning professions, its earning potential has risen in recent times. The highest-paid players can earn six to seven figures, with the top 10 players earning over $5 million annually through prize money, sponsorships, and club deals. In 2019, Lee Cheuk Yiu earned around $61,000 for three weeks in India's PBL, while the highest-ranked player in the 51-100 bracket earned $77,175 in 2022. In 2023, Indian singles player Prannoy H.S. took home $31,500 as the Malaysia Masters (Super 500) winner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earning potential | Increased in recent times |
| Prize money | $2M for BWF World Tour Finals; $120,000 for Super 100 events |
| Player earnings | Indian singles player Prannoy H.S. won US$31,500 at the 2023 Malaysia Masters |
| Player earnings | Lee Cheuk Yiu earned $61,000 in India's PBL in 2019 |
| Player earnings | Shi Yu Qi from China earned $77,175 in 2022 |
| Player earnings | Top 32 but outside the Top 10 players earn an average of $25,275 in prize money annually |
| Player earnings | Top 10 players can earn over $5 million annually through prize money, sponsorships, and club deals |
| Player earnings | The highest-earning players ranked 51-100 earned $20,676 each in 2022 |
| Player earnings | Players ranked 51-100 earned an average of $2053 a year |
| Player earnings | Earnings can be supplemented by league contracts and sponsorships, ranging from $34,000 to $152,000 annually |
| Player earnings | Earnings depend on ranking, event, funding, and marketability |
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What You'll Learn

Earnings from tournaments
In 2023, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) increased the prize money for all World Tour events. The BWF World Tour Finals now offer a total purse of $2 million, while the Super 100 events have a minimum purse of $120,000. These amounts represent an improvement in the financial prospects of badminton players.
The Indian Premier Badminton League (PBL) is one of the most lucrative leagues for badminton players. For example, Lee Cheuk Yiu earned around $61,000 for his participation in the PBL in 2019, when he was ranked 28th in the world. This league is known for offering substantial earnings over a short period, as it takes place within a few weeks.
Players ranked between 51st and 100th in the world earn significantly lower prize money, averaging $2,053 per year. The highest earner in this ranking range in 2022 was Shi Yu Qi from China, who earned $77,175 by playing only six tournaments. These players may have fewer club matches but can command higher rates per match, ranging from $600 to $2,000.
Indian badminton players have also achieved notable winnings in international tournaments. For instance, Prannoy H.S. took home a winner's cheque of US$31,500 from the 2023 Malaysia Masters (Super 500).
In summary, tournament earnings for badminton players in India vary widely depending on their ranking, performance, and the specific tournaments they participate in. While the financial rewards may not be as high as in other sports, the earning potential in badminton has been steadily increasing.
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Sponsorships and endorsements
Badminton is one of the most popular sports in India, with an increasingly competitive ecosystem. While raw talent is essential, training, mentorship, and competitive experience are equally crucial in shaping a successful badminton career in India.
Performing well in professional leagues often attracts sponsorships and opens up networking opportunities, which can be crucial for career development. Endorsement deals and sponsorships can be lucrative for badminton players in India, and the earnings from these can be significant.
P. V. Sindhu, one of the most talented Indian badminton players, has endorsement deals with several companies, including JBL, Nokia, Bridgestone Tyres, Gatorade sports drink, health drink boost, and sanitary pad brand Stayfree. She was also on the Forbes list of the highest-paid female athletes in 2018 and 2019, with earnings of $8.5 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Sindhu is also a brand ambassador for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Vizag Steel.
Another top Indian badminton player, Saina Nehwal, who, alongside Sindhu, is credited with popularising the sport in India, has also secured several endorsement deals. Nehwal has been a brand ambassador for the Indian Oil Corporation since 2009 and has endorsed other brands such as Edelweiss Financial Services, Yonex, and Toshiba.
Prannoy H.S., another Indian badminton player, won the 2023 Malaysia Masters (Super 500) and took home a winner's cheque of US$31,500. While this is prize money and not an endorsement deal, it demonstrates the earning potential of successful Indian badminton players.
In summary, while badminton may not be the most popular sport in India, it has a dedicated following, and its players can attract significant endorsement deals and sponsorships, particularly if they perform well in professional leagues and international competitions. Effective management of public image and networking can lead to more lucrative opportunities for Indian badminton players.
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Performance in smaller regional and national tournaments
While badminton may not be the most lucrative sport, with the 100 highest-earning athletes in the world in 2022 coming from ten different sports, none of which was badminton, there is still money to be made in the game, especially in smaller regional and national tournaments in India.
The Indian National Badminton Championships, held annually since 1934, is the premier national badminton tournament in India. It crowns the best badminton players in the country and offers a platform for players to showcase their talent and earn prize money. While the exact prize money for this tournament is not publicly available, it is safe to assume that it is a significant source of income for the participating players, especially those who advance to the latter stages of the competition.
In addition to the Indian National Badminton Championships, there are other regional and state-level badminton tournaments held throughout India. These tournaments may not offer the same level of prize money as the national championships, but they still provide an opportunity for players to earn money and gain recognition within the badminton community in India.
The BWF World Tour also includes several tournaments held in India, such as the Malaysia Masters (Super 500), which offer substantial prize money. For example, the winner of the 2023 Malaysia Masters, Indian singles player Prannoy H.S., took home a cheque for US$31,500. These BWF-sanctioned tournaments provide a platform for Indian players to compete against international players and earn prize money based on their performance.
While the earning potential in badminton may be lower compared to other sports, the increasing prize money across BWF World Tour events is a positive step towards improving the financial prospects for badminton players in India and worldwide. To make a decent living, players need to be consistently successful in these tournaments and potentially seek additional sources of income through sponsorships or funding from national sports associations.
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Player ranking
Badminton is a popular sport in India, and the country has produced several top-ranked badminton players. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Ranking is the official ranking system for badminton players who participate in BWF-sanctioned tournaments. Ranking points are awarded based on the player's performance and progress in these tournaments. The more tournaments a player participates in, the more points they can accumulate, which leads to a higher ranking.
Some of the notable Indian badminton players and their achievements are:
- Prakash Padukone: He was the first Indian badminton player to achieve the world number 1 ranking.
- Srikanth Kidambi: Kidambi became the second male player from India to reach the world number 1 spot in April 2018. He also won a silver medal at the BWF World Championships in 2021.
- Saina Nehwal: Saina Nehwal was the first female player from India to become world number 1 in April 2015. She was also the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, a bronze in the 2012 London Olympics. Additionally, she is the only gold medalist for India at the BWF World Junior Championships, which she achieved in 2008.
- P. V. Sindhu: Sindhu is the first Indian to become the World Champion, winning gold at the 2019 BWF World Championships. She is also the only badminton player from India to win two consecutive medals at the Olympic Games, a silver in 2016 and a bronze in 2020.
- Jwala Gutta: One of India's most successful doubles players, Gutta is the only Indian to rank in the top 10 in two categories. She peaked at #6 in mixed doubles with Valiyaveetil Diju and #10 in women's doubles with Ashwini Ponnappa.
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty: This duo won India's first medal in men's doubles at the BWF World Championships, a bronze in 2022.
- B. Sai Praneeth: He won a bronze medal in men's singles at the 2019 BWF World Championships, the first medal for India in this discipline in 36 years.
- Lakshya Sen: Lakshya Sen won a bronze medal in men's singles at the 2021 BWF World Championships.
While badminton in India has produced many talented players, the sport's earning potential is not as high as some other sports. The prize money in badminton, even at the BWF World Tour level, is lower than that of sports like tennis. However, badminton's earning potential has been rising, with the BWF increasing prize money across all World Tour events in 2023.
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Event played
The earnings of a badminton player in India depend on several factors, including their ranking, the events they play, funding situation, and marketability. While badminton may not be as lucrative as sports like tennis or football, its earning potential has been on the rise. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has increased prize money across all World Tour events, with the total purse for the BWF World Tour Finals reaching $2 million.
Indian badminton players can earn substantial prize money by participating in various tournaments organised by the BWF, national associations, and private organisations. These tournaments offer significant prize pools, with winnings depending on the event's prestige and level.
One notable example is the Indian Premier Badminton League (PBL), which offers lucrative opportunities for players. In 2019, Lee Cheuk Yiu earned around $61,000 for his participation in the PBL, despite being ranked 28th in the world at the time. This demonstrates that badminton players in India can earn substantial sums through specific events and tournaments.
In addition to prize money, badminton players in India can also benefit from sponsorships and endorsements. Companies in various sectors, such as sportswear, equipment manufacturing, and lifestyle brands, seek to partner with top players to promote their products. These sponsorship deals can provide a steady income stream and enhance a player's overall earnings.
Major tournaments such as the All England Open, BWF World Championships, and Olympic Games are also significant sources of income for badminton players in India. These events offer substantial prize money, contributing to the overall earnings potential in the sport.
While the financial rewards in badminton may not be as high as in some other sports, the increasing popularity of badminton in India and the growing value of its tournaments indicate a positive trend for players' earning potential.
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Frequently asked questions
Earnings for badminton players in India depend on their ranking, performance, event, funding situation, and marketability. Players in the Top 32 but outside the Top 10 can expect an average prize money of $25,275 annually. In addition, sponsorships can contribute an extra $34,000 to $152,000 per year.
The Indian Premier Badminton League (PBL) is one of the most lucrative badminton leagues in India. For example, in the 2019 PBL, Lee Cheuk Yiu earned around $61,000 for three weeks of play and was ranked 28th in the world at the time.
Badminton players' earning potential in India is lower than in other sports. For context, the 100th best male footballer in the world earns $6.5 million per year, while the 100th best female tennis player earned over $510,000 in 2023.
The main sources of income for badminton players in India are tournament prize money, sponsorships, and endorsements. Companies ranging from sportswear brands to equipment manufacturers may offer sponsorship deals, providing players with a steady income beyond tournament winnings.










































