Amanda Knapp
Badminton players' earnings vary depending on their ranking, performance, marketability, and ability to secure opportunities beyond tournament winnings. While the highest-paid athletes in the world come from sports like basketball and tennis, badminton players can still earn substantial incomes through prize money, sponsorships, endorsements, and league contracts. The top players, such as Viktor Axelsen and P.V. Sindhu, can earn millions annually, while those ranked lower may need part-time jobs to supplement their income. The earning potential in badminton has been increasing, with the sport gaining popularity and attracting a global audience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prize money | $2,053 to $5 million+ annually |
| Sponsorships | $6 million per year maximum |
| Endorsements | N/A |
| Part-time jobs | $5,600 to $28,000 per year |
| League contracts | $0 to $10,000 per year |
| Coaching | $28,000 to $43,000 per year |
| Media appearances | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Prize money
Players ranked between 51st and 100th in the world earn an average of around $2,053 in prize money per year. This amount increases to an average of $8,159 per year for players ranked between 33rd and 50th. Players in the top 32 but outside the top 10 can expect an average of $25,275 in prize money annually.
The top 10 players have the highest earnings potential, with prize money alone reaching six to seven figures. For example, dominant players like Viktor Axelsen and P.V. Sindhu consistently earn over $5 million per year through prize money, sponsorships, and club deals.
In 2023, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) increased the prize money across all World Tour events. The BWF World Tour Finals now offer a total purse of $2 million, while lower-tier Super 100 events have a combined purse of $120,000. While badminton earnings have seen an upward trend, they still lag behind those of other sports like tennis.
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Sponsorships
Firstly, a player's ranking and performance significantly impact their earning potential. Players in the top 10 or top 32 rankings can attract more lucrative sponsorships, with the very top players earning millions from endorsements. For example, PV Sindhu earned $5 million just from sponsorships in 2019, landing her a spot on the Forbes list of highest-paid female athletes. Similarly, Lin Dan, a top Chinese player, reportedly signed a 10-year contract worth $14.2 million in 2015.
Players outside the top rankings may still earn from sponsorships, but the amounts are typically lower. Those ranked 51-100 might receive anywhere from $0 to $10,000 per year in sponsorships. Factors that could push them towards the higher end of this range include coming from a country with minimal sporting success, having a connection to a successful business, or possessing a unique marketability.
The player's reputation and following, both within the badminton community and on social media, also influence their sponsorship earnings. For instance, a player with a substantial Instagram following could charge a premium for sponsored posts. Additionally, players who consistently perform well and gain media attention become more attractive to sponsors.
Badminton players can also receive sponsorships and funding from their governments, especially in Asian countries where badminton is extremely popular. For example, the Indonesian government pays its players every 2-3 months, and sponsors cover expenses like tickets and hotels. Similarly, the Chinese government covers all living expenses for its national team members so they can focus solely on training.
Lastly, the stance of badminton federations on sponsorships can impact players' earnings. Federations may refuse to allow players to work with certain sponsors, and some provide support in gaining sponsorship opportunities.
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Endorsements
Badminton players are often sought after by companies, ranging from sportswear and equipment manufacturers to lifestyle brands, who are keen to partner with these athletes to promote their products and services. These endorsement deals may encompass a range of commitments, such as wearing specific clothing or using particular gear during matches, promoting products on social media platforms, or making in-person appearances at corporate events and promotional campaigns.
The financial terms of these endorsement contracts can vary widely. Top-ranked players, who have a larger following and greater star power, can command more substantial endorsement deals. Their popularity ensures greater visibility for the brands they endorse, making them highly sought-after by companies. Conversely, players ranked lower may have more modest endorsement opportunities, but these deals still contribute significantly to their overall earnings.
In addition to traditional endorsements, badminton players can also leverage their online presence and social media platforms to attract sponsorship deals and create branded merchandise, such as apparel, equipment, and accessories. This not only generates additional revenue streams but also helps to strengthen their personal brand and increase their marketability.
While the financial details of endorsement deals in badminton are often not disclosed publicly, it is evident that they play a crucial role in the earnings of professional badminton players. These deals not only provide financial stability but also contribute to the overall growth and recognition of the sport.
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Player rankings
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) maintains the official ranking of badminton players who participate in tournaments sanctioned by the organisation. The ranking is determined based on the level and progress of the tournament from each player or pair. Ranking points are calculated based on the tournaments each player or pair has participated in over the last 52 weeks. If a player or pair has participated in ten or fewer World Ranking tournaments, their ranking is calculated by adding together the points won at tournaments in the last 52 weeks. If they have participated in 11 or more tournaments, only the ten highest-scoring tournaments during the 52-week period count towards their ranking.
The highest-ranked player in 2022 was Viktor Axelsen, who earned $2 million in prize money across all World Tour events in 2023. Axelsen also created his own brand, VA Health, which helps him earn more money and have something to fall back on after his playing career.
Badminton players ranked between 51-100 in the world earn a minimum of $5,653 per year and a maximum of $28,053 per year. The average prize money for players in this range is $8,159 a year for singles players and $6,481 for doubles players. The highest earner in this category was Jeong Na Eun, who was ranked 34th in mixed doubles and 5th in women's doubles, earning $77,293.
Players ranked 11-32 earn an average of $25,275 for singles players and $15,498 for doubles players. The highest earner in this ranking range in 2022 was Shi Yu Qi from China, who earned $77,175.
Players who are not in the top 100 rankings do not make much money at all. The average prize money earned from players ranked 51-100 in all five events is $2,053 a year.
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$9.99
Player salaries
The salary of a professional badminton player varies based on numerous factors, including their ranking, performance, marketability, and ability to secure opportunities beyond tournament winnings. While badminton may not be as lucrative as sports like tennis or football, the earning potential in the sport has been on the rise.
Tournament prize money is a primary source of income for badminton players. The purse for the BWF World Tour Finals is $2 million, while Super 100 events offer a total purse of $120,000. Major tournaments, such as the All England Open, BWF World Championships, and Olympic Games, can offer significant prize money, reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars for top finishers. For instance, the winner of the 2023 Malaysia Masters (Super 500) received $31,500. However, the earnings gap between badminton and other sports is evident; while reaching the top 32 in badminton's All England Open yields around $1,200, the same feat in tennis's Wimbledon tournament awards $147,600.
Players ranked #51-100 typically earn an average of $2,053 in prize money annually, often requiring part-time jobs or league contracts to supplement their income. Those ranked #33-50 may earn around $8,159 in prize money, with supplemental income pushing their total earnings to approximately $12,900 to $43,800 per year. The top 32 players outside the top 10 can earn an average of $25,275 in prize money annually. The highest-earning players enjoy six- to seven-figure incomes, with top players like Viktor Axelsen and P.V. Sindhu earning over $5 million annually through prize money, sponsorships, and club deals. Sindhu, for example, earned $94,500 for three weeks in the PBL and was able to charge over $10,000 per Instagram post due to her large following.
Sponsorships and endorsements play a significant role in badminton players' earnings. Retired players often transition into coaching roles, establishing academies or offering individual coaching, generating steady income from coaching fees and memberships. Media appearances and royalties for image and footage usage provide additional revenue streams.
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Frequently asked questions
Earnings for pro badminton players vary depending on their ranking, performance, marketability, and ability to secure opportunities beyond tournament winnings. While the top 10 players can earn six to seven figures, players ranked 51-100 typically earn an average of $2,053 in prize money annually.
Top badminton players like Viktor Axelsen and P.V. Sindhu consistently earn over $5 million annually through prize money, sponsorships, and club deals. PV Sindhu, for example, earned $94,500 for 3 weeks in the PBL and was 13th on the Forbes list for the highest-paid female athletes in 2019.
Players in this bracket often need to supplement their income through part-time jobs, side hustles, and league contracts, earning an additional $5,600 to $28,000 per year. Most players in this bracket play for a club, and sometimes more than one, earning around $300-500 per match.
Badminton is not one of the highest-earning sports in the world. The 100 highest-earning athletes in 2022 included players from ten different sports, but badminton was not one of them. The earnings in badminton are significantly lower than in tennis, for example.
Beyond prize money, badminton players can earn money through sponsorships, endorsements, coaching roles, media appearances, and royalties or appearance fees for licensing their image and footage.
