Premier Badminton League to Return in 2026 With New Format, New Name.
The Premier Badminton League (PBL), which has been on hold since 2020, is all set to make a comeback in 2026 with a fresh look and a new format, confirmed Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary Sanjay Mishra.
Break From Old Promoter
PBL last took place in 2020 before being halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The tournament was hosted for five editions and had gained strong popularity among badminton fans.
Mishra revealed that BAI had been in talks with its previous promoter, SportzLive, but after repeated delays and disagreements with team owners, the association has decided to formally cut ties.
“We gave SportzLive an ultimatum. They failed to restart the league twice. Now, we are ending the contract and will launch the tournament under a new name within a year,” Mishra said.
New Format in the Works
PBL previously followed a round-robin format, with each tie featuring five matches — men’s singles (2), women’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles — played in best-of-three games.
The first two games were played to 11 points, and a deciding third to 15 points.
Mishra stated that several franchises were unhappy with this structure. BAI is now in talks with team owners to design a revamped format.
“We are trying to improve the format. Within six months, we will announce details, and by 2026, the league will restart under a new identity,” he confirmed.
Badminton is among India’s most promising Olympic sports, and the franchise league is seen as a vital platform for players.
Earlier attempts to revive PBL in 2022, around India’s Thomas Cup win, missed deadlines.
Indian players are currently preparing for the BWF World Championships, where tough draws await them. Mishra expressed hope that India will peak at the right time.
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