How does the new 15-point scoring work?

BWF members voted on 25 April 2026 to replace 21-point games with the 3x15 scoring system, in force from 4 January 2027. Under Law 7 of the 2027 Laws of Badminton:

• A match is best of three games, unless otherwise arranged.
• Every rally scores a point: the side that wins the rally adds a point, whoever served.
• A game is won by the first side to 15 points.
• At 14-all, the first side to get a 2-point lead wins the game.
• At 20-all, the side scoring the 21st point wins the game. So no game goes past 21-20.
• The winner of a game serves first in the next game.

Before 4 January 2027 the 2025 Laws apply: games to 21, a 2-point lead needed from 20-all, and the 30th point wins at 29-all.

A competition may arrange a different match format under the BWF's alternative scoring laws, in which case its entry conditions say so.