It probably shouldn’t surprise you – given that the global calendar also includes Talk Like a Pirate Day and Dance Like a Chicken Day – but the sport of badminton is celebrated every year on July 5th with World Badminton Day.
The day marks a global celebration of a sport that is estimated to be played by over 220 million around the world. Read on to find out what it’s all about, and how you can get involved…
The origins of World Badminton Day
On 5th July 1934, the International Badminton Federation (now the Badminton World Federation or BWF) was established with nine founding member associations: England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Canada, and New Zealand.
Today, the number of associations has swollen to 190, and in 2022, the BWF decided that July 5th should be officially designated a day of celebration for the global badminton community. World Badminton Day was born.
What’s the idea?
From village courts in Indonesia to community halls in Yorkshire, World Badminton Day activities are as diverse as the game’s players. Local clubs host open days, friendly tournaments, family drop-ins, and beginner taster sessions. Many focus on inclusion, welcoming players of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities.
In the UK, clubs from Devon to Dundee tend to mark the day with quirky and one-off events such as glow in the dark badminton evenings, mixed doubles socials, intergenerational matches between juniors and seniors, and charity fundraisers for equipment and coaching. Participants are encouraged to post their badminton activities on social media, using the hashtag #RaiseARacket.
How to get involved
Keep an eye on your nearest badminton club or leisure centre to see what events they may be hosting to celebrate the occasion the next time July 5th rolls around. And, if you’re a seasoned player or coach, why not use the day as an excuse to invite one or two friends along to the court with you to see if you can’t convert a few racket rookies into regulars.
