BAI launches nationwide mascot contest for BWF World Championships 2026

The Badminton Association of India has launched a nationwide mascot design contest for the BWF World Championships 2026. Open to all, the initiative aims to boost fan engagement as India prepares to host the global badminton event in New Delhi.

Hyderabad: The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has announced a nationwide mascot design contest for the upcoming BWF World Championships 2026, inviting fans, artists, and creators to play a role in shaping the identity of one of badminton’s most prestigious global events.

Conceived to deepen fan engagement and celebrate India’s rich cultural diversity alongside its growing badminton legacy, the initiative marks a first-of-its-kind effort by BAI to bring the community closer to the sport.

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With the BWF World Championships returning to India after 17 years, the initiative underscores both the scale of the event and the country’s rise as a badminton powerhouse, highlighted by 15 World Championships medals in the past decade, including PV Sindhu’s historic gold in 2019 and Satwik-Chirag’s bronze last year. As New Delhi prepares to host the global showpiece, the mascot search offers a unique opportunity to craft a visual identity that reflects India’s sporting ascent, cultural richness, and deep-rooted connect with badminton. Open to participants of all ages, the contest runs from April 18 to May 10, with the winner set to receive INR 25,000 along with VIP tickets to the semi-finals or finals.

“Badminton today is played and loved across every corner of India, cutting across regions, cultures, and backgrounds, and that diversity is what truly defines the spirit of the sport in our country. With an event of the stature of the BWF World Championships coming to India, we wanted to celebrate this India rising story through a fan-first approach,” Sanjay Mishra, general secretary of BAI said.
“This competition is an effort to bring fans closer to the tournament, giving everyone an equal opportunity to contribute to its identity. As the sport continues to grow, it is important that the event reflects not just world-class competition, but also the cultural richness and creativity of our people,” he said.

Participants can submit their entries by filling out a dedicated Google Form [https://forms.gle/fhxnXCJzyR9UbbBYA] available on BAI’s official website and social media channels where they are required to upload their designs along with the necessary details. Detailed submission guidelines and criteria are also available on BAI’s official platforms including the website and social handles.

Beyond the competition, the initiative aims to deepen fan engagement in the lead-up to the BWF World Championships 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from August 17-23, offering a platform for creative communities to be part of a global sporting spectacle.
For detailed participation and submission guidelines, please visit https://www.badmintonindia.org/ or follow BAI’s official social media handles (@bai_media on Instagram, X, and Facebook).