Soaring Competition: 300 Players Compete in 'Al Ain Masters' Badminton Tournament

The UAE will host the second edition of the Al Ain Masters badminton tournament from September 30 to October 5, drawing over 300 players from 40 countries competing for $120,000 in prize money. The event marks a significant step for Middle Eastern badminton, offering crucial world ranking points for the 2026 World Championships and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification.

The UAE Badminton Federation announced the tournament details during a press conference at the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club. Federation President Noura Al Jasmi emphasized that this is the first BWF Super 100 series tournament of its kind in the Middle East, placing the UAE on the global badminton map.

The tournament carries weight beyond regional prestige. Players will earn world ranking points that count toward qualifying for major international competitions, including the 2026 World Championships and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. This makes the event attractive to serious competitors looking to boost their standings.

The UAE's national team will field 56 players across different categories, showing the country's commitment to developing homegrown talent alongside attracting international competition. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is backing the event, reflecting broader government support for sports development in the Emirates.

For the badminton world, this tournament represents the sport's growing reach in the Middle East. The BWF Super 100 series sits in the middle tier of professional badminton, below the prestigious Super 1000 and Super 750 events but still offering meaningful ranking points and prize money.

The timing works well for players' season planning. October tournaments often serve as preparation events for year-end competitions, and the ranking points earned can influence seedings for upcoming major tournaments.

Al Ain's selection as host city continues the UAE's strategy of spreading major sporting events beyond Dubai and Abu Dhabi, developing sports infrastructure across the country while attracting international visitors to different emirates.