Is badminton changing to 15 points?

Yes. The Badminton World Federation approved best of three games to 15 points at its AGM on 25 April 2026. It comes into force on 4 January 2027.

How does badminton scoring work now?

Until the end of 2026: best of three games to 21, rally-point scoring. At 20–20 you need a two-point lead, and at 29–29 the next point wins.

How will 15-point scoring work?

Best of three games to 15. At 14–14 you need a two-point lead, up to a cap: at 20–20 the next point wins, so no game goes past 21. The interval is at 8 points, and in the third game players change ends at 8.

Do you have to serve to score in badminton?

No. Rally-point scoring means every rally wins a point for whoever wins it, whoever served.

Badminton · Guide

Badminton scoring: 21 now, 15 from 2027

Badminton is played to 21 points until the end of 2026. From 4 January 2027, games are to 15. Both use rally-point scoring and best of three games.

The two systems side by side

	Until end of 2026	From 4 January 2027
Match	Best of three games	Best of three games
Points to win a game	21	15
Win by two from	20–20	14–14
Cap	29–29: next point wins (30 max)	20–20: next point wins (21 max)
Mid-game interval	At 11	At 8
Change ends in game three	At 11	At 8
Break between games	2 minutes	2 minutes

Rally-point scoring

Every rally scores a point for whoever wins it. The winner of the rally serves next. Your score decides where you serve from: the right service court on an even score, the left on an odd one.

Why the change

The Badminton World Federation tested several formats and found that games to 15, with the cap at 21, gave the best balance of excitement, fairness and match length. Members approved it by the required two-thirds majority at the AGM on 25 April 2026.

Expect shorter matches, fewer long grinding games, and more pressure from the very first points, since a slow start is harder to recover from.

What should my club use?

The new system is badminton's official scoring from January 2027, so leagues and clubs will generally follow it. For friendly games, agree before you start.

Quick answers

Is badminton changing to 15 points?: Yes. The Badminton World Federation approved best of three games to 15 points at its AGM on 25 April 2026. It comes into force on 4 January 2027.
How does badminton scoring work now?: Until the end of 2026: best of three games to 21, rally-point scoring. At 20–20 you need a two-point lead, and at 29–29 the next point wins.
How will 15-point scoring work?: Best of three games to 15. At 14–14 you need a two-point lead, up to a cap: at 20–20 the next point wins, so no game goes past 21. The interval is at 8 points, and in the third game players change ends at 8.
Do you have to serve to score in badminton?: No. Rally-point scoring means every rally wins a point for whoever wins it, whoever served.