Macau Badminton Open to welcome top global players

Organized for the 16th year, the Macau Badminton Open will be part of the HSBC Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour 300 for the second consecutive year.

This significant upgrade to the competition means the event will attract a large number of high-ranked athletes, including China’s Olympic gold medalists Chen Yufei and Chen Qingchen, as well as other top names in the sport, like Hong Kong’s Angus Ng and Indonesians Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani.

At a press conference held yesterday afternoon at The Londoner Macao, organizers unveiled this year’s event, which will take place from July 29 to August 3 and be held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome.

Representing co-organizer Sands China Ltd., Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman, said, “The highly anticipated Sands China Macau Open Badminton tournament is returning, and we are honored to once again co-organize the event with the Badminton Federation of Macau (BFM). As the 2025 Macau Open will be held in the summertime, we hope to attract more teenagers to see this world-class badminton tournament during their summer vacation,” he said.

“We aim to elevate the synergy of ‘tourism + sports’ to new heights by building on the success of our first cooperation last year. In addition, this year’s tournament has attracted 442 elite badminton players from 29 nations and regions around the world, making it a skills-exchange platform for global players,” Wong added.

The executive also noted that Macau’s hosting of several sports events will help promote professional local sports and socioeconomic development.

In his speech, Kong Tat Choi, president of the BFM, added, “This international high-level tournament is not only a spectacular sports competition that helps Macau’s badminton players achieve high standards, but also supports Macau’s goal of becoming a ‘City of Sports’ by deepening the cross-border integration of ‘sports + tourism’ and promoting economic diversification.”

Kong also noted that the event will optimize the arena’s facilities and include interactive elements, allowing fans to immerse themselves in badminton while elevating Macau’s profile as a world center of tourism and leisure.

This six-day tournament also aims to attract many fans to stay in Macau, enjoy the competition, and explore the city’s attractions.

Additionally, Kong noted that beyond the local audience, Macau’s image will also be enhanced thanks to the broadcast of the competition’s semi-finals and finals, which will be livestreamed on BWF TV.

Kong also highlighted the increase in prize money for the local tournament, which this year has reached a “historical record.”

As part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300 (Level 5), the 2025 Macau Open will comprise five events: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.

The total prize money for this year’s tournament has been increased to USD370,000 (nearly MOP3 million).

Level 5 events have a minimum pre-established prize pool of USD240,000 this year, with a minimum threshold to be raised to USD250,000 next year.

The tournament format starts with the qualifying rounds and Rounds of 32 (July 29, 10 a.m.) and continues with more Rounds of 32 on the following day at the same time.

On July 31, the day will be dedicated to the Rounds of 16 (starting at 10 a.m.), and from August 1, the schedule will begin at noon with the Quarterfinals.

The Semifinals will start at noon on August 2, and the Finals and Prize-Awarding Ceremony will take place on August 3.

More details and information are available on the website: http://www.macauopenbadminton.org.mo.

Malaysian players in the majority

Of the 442 athletes representing 29 countries and regions, Malaysian players comprise the majority, with 71 athletes in the tournament. Of these, the largest group (16) will compete in the Men’s Doubles event, followed by Men’s Singles (12).

Taiwanese players come second, totaling 63 participants. In this case, the largest portion of the Taiwanese delegation will take part in the Women’s Singles event (15).

Chinese Taipei is followed by India, which brings 59 athletes to Macau, the majority (20) competing in Men’s Singles.

Macau will be represented at the tournament by eight players (three in Men’s Singles, one in Women’s Singles, one each in Men’s and Women’s Doubles, and two in Mixed Doubles).

Pui Pang Fong, Leong Kok Chong, Vong Kok Weng, Ng Weng Chi, Pui Chi Wa, and Chan Hao Wai are the local players who qualified for different tournament events.

Tickets on sale starting today

Tickets for the event will go on sale today at 11 a.m. through three main channels: Macauticket.com for local sales, Damai and Ctrip for mainland China, and Trip.com for the Hong Kong market. Each daily ticket is MOP150, but special offers are available.

Early-bird buyers (until July 27) will enjoy a 50% discount for Macau residents and a 20% discount for non-residents. An additional 15% discount applies when using HSBC credit cards.

Early-bird tickets purchased via Damai, Ctrip, and Trip.com also enjoy a 20% discount.