The 2026 BWF season promises to be exciting with new storylines to look for. Badminton players will look to rebuild from their previous campaigns.
While some will look to solidify their positions in the top tier, others will look to launch comebacks.
Let us have a look at badminton players to watch out for the 2026 BWF season.
Top 5 Badminton Players to Watch in 2026
1. An Se-Young (South Korea)
An Se-Young was the dominant player in 2025 in women’s singles. A Paris Olympic gold medallist and world number one, she won a record-equaling 11 titles in a single season in 2025.
In 2026, it would be exciting to see if she would breach the number. She has already reached “GOAT” status at just 23 years old.
In the upcoming season, she is chasing a “Super 1000 Grand Slam” and looking to defend her Asian Games title.
2. Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand)
Thai star Kunlavut Vitidsarn has emerged as a top contender in men’s singles, winning major tour titles and even reaching world number one in rankings. His all-court game and consistency make him one of the biggest prospects for 2026.
The “Thai Metronome” and former World Champion has transitioned from a defensive specialist to a tactical mastermind.
Kunlavut is the only player who consistently makes the world’s best look ordinary through pure deception and control. After a strong 2025, 2026 is expected to be the year he fully challenges for the World No. 1 spot, especially with his peak physical years ahead.
3. Lee Zii Jia (Malaysia)
Lee Zii Jia is expected to make a comeback in 2026 after a season marked by injuries. He first suffered the injuries at the World Tour Finals in December and returned to action only in March, reaching the quarter-finals at the Orleans Masters and suffering a first-round exit at the All England.
He then took more time off to nurse the injury. He returned to competition at the Paris World Championships, where he suffered a first-round exit. His final tournaments of the year were the Hong Kong Open and the China Masters.
Zii Jia said he and his team have been working closely with medical experts over the past two months to determine the best path forward. He wood be looking to make it big in the upcoming season.
Also Read: Top 6 Richest Badminton Players In World
4. Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)
Men’s singles shuttler Viktor Axelsen’s injury woes continue to haunt him as badminton enters new season in 2026. The Danish ace has already withdrawn from the Malaysian Open from Jan 6-11 at Axiata Arena and Indian Open from Jan 13-18 in New Delhi.
The 31-year-old, who underwent back surgery in April, was restricted to only eight tournaments this year. Axelsen last competed in the French Open in October where he went down to fellow Dane Anders Antonsen in the quarter-finals. The two-time Olympic champion has seen his world rankings plummet to No. 30 due to his low number of tournament participation.
It will be interesting to see if the Danish player will be able to mount a comeback in 2026 establish his legacy.
