India Launches Official Bid to Host 2028 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in New Delhi

New Delhi: India is moving to cement its status as a global powerhouse in badminton by officially submitting a bid to host the 2028 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals. Following the successful hosting of the BWF World Championships, the nation is now setting its sights on the prestigious men’s and women’s team world championships.

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has identified New Delhi as the proposed host city, citing its robust infrastructure and proven ability to manage major international sporting events.

"It has been around four to five months since we submitted our bid to host the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2028," BAI secretary general Sanjay Mishra told the Times of India. "We are looking at Delhi as a potential venue, given that it has the infrastructure and experience to host a tournament of this scale. Having successfully hosted the World Championships, we are confident in Delhi’s ability to deliver another world-class event."

Should the bid be successful, it would mark the second time India hosts these historic tournaments. The nation previously staged the Finals in 2014 at the Siri Fort Sports Complex. The Thomas and Uber Cups are among the BWF’s oldest and most prestigious competitions, with the Thomas Cup (men’s) dating back to 1948-49 and the Uber Cup (women’s) to 1956-57.

India’s international badminton pedigree has grown significantly in recent years, adding considerable weight to its candidacy. The Indian men’s team captured their maiden Thomas Cup title in a historic 2022 run in Bangkok, followed by a bronze medal performance in the 2026 edition in Horsens, Denmark. On the women’s side, the team reached the semi-finals in 2014 and 2016, marking their best finishes to date.

The 2026 tournament, held recently in Denmark, saw China clinch the Thomas Cup and South Korea secure the Uber Cup. While the global badminton community awaits further announcements regarding upcoming hosts—including the 2027 Sudirman Cup and the World Championships, for which Indonesia is currently a top contender—the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals for 2028 remain a high-stakes target for India.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is expected to make a final decision on the 2028 host in due course, with India’s formal submission placing it in a strong position to bring the marquee event back to the capital.