The Sands China Ltd. Macau Open Badminton 2026 will return to the Macao East Asian Games Dome in Cotai from June 16 to 21, bringing together top badminton players from 29 countries and regions while striving to expand its community and technology-focused initiatives in line with Macau’s push to strengthen its position as a “City of Sports”, according to a press conference by the integrated resort operator held at The Londoner Macao in Cotai yesterday.
Organised by the Badminton Federation of Macau and supported by Sands China for the third consecutive year, the tournament is part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300 series and will feature men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles competitions.
HSBC BWF stands for Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Badminton World Federation.
This year’s event offers a total prize pool of US$370,000 (2.98 million patacas), the highest among Super 300 tournaments this year, according to a statement by Sands China yesterday.
Among the headline players are China’s world No. 2 mixed doubles pair Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, Malaysia’s Olympic bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia, Hong Kong player Angus Ng Ka-long, and South Korea’s Kim Ga-Eun.
Local players competing in the tournament include Pui Pang Fong, Ng Weng Chi, Leong Kok Chong, Pui Chi Chon, and Pui Chi Wa.
Addressing yesterday’s press conference, Sands China Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai said the tournament demonstrates the impact of international sporting events in supporting Macau’s “Tourism + Sports” development direction. “We strive to continually strengthen Macau’s drawcard as a ‘City of Sports’, while integrating the city’s diverse and distinctive appeal to advance Macau’s development into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure”, Wong said.
This year’s edition will also introduce expanded outreach programmes, such as badminton exchanges between international athletes and local students, as well as interactive AI and sports technology experiences.
Meanwhile, Kong Tat Choi, president of the Badminton Federation of Macau, said his group hopes the tournament will attract more international athletes to Macau and further advance the city’s development as a “City of Sports”, adding that this year’s edition would focus on improving the spectator experience and offering expanded ticket discounts to encourage broader public participation in the event.
Speaking to the media after the press conference, Pui Pang Fong said he hopes to perform well in both the men’s singles and doubles competitions. “I’ve been adjusting my condition recently and improving my physical fitness. I hope I can perform well in the competition and break through”, he said. On the role of AI in sports, Pui said the technology could help athletes process large amounts of performance data more efficiently. “AI can help us develop in the future because it can analyse a lot of data. If we analyse the data ourselves, it will take a lot of time”, Pui noted.
Moreover, Ng Weng Chi said she aims to continue improving after recently returning from competitions in mainland China. “I want to keep training in this condition and improve my skills through competition”, she said, expressing hope to achieve a breakthrough result alongside her doubles partner.
Tickets for the tournament will go on sale today at 11 a.m. through Macau Ticketing, Damai, Ctrip.com and Trip.com platforms. Early discounts will be available until June 15 for Macau residents and non-residents, while students can receive discounted admission with valid identification.
Sands China Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai (up) and Badminton Federation of Macau President Kong Tat Choi address yesterday’s “Sands China Ltd. Macau Open Badminton 2026” press conference at The Londoner Macao in Cotai. – Photos: Khalel Vallo
