Every November, Lucknow turns into the centre of Indian badminton. Top shuttlers from across Asia and Europe arrive for the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships, and thousands of fans, young players and academy students fill the stands to watch world tour badminton up close.
Every November, Lucknow turns into the centre of Indian badminton. Top shuttlers from across Asia and Europe arrive for the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships, and thousands of fans, young players and academy students fill the stands to watch world tour badminton up close.
Here is what the tournament is, where it came from, who has won it, and how you can follow or attend it.
What is the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships?
The Syed Modi International is a BWF World Tour Super 300 badminton tournament held in Lucknow, India. It is organised by the Badminton Association of India with sanction from the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The event is officially branded as the Syed Modi India International Super 300, and you will see both names used for the same tournament.
Super 300 is the third tier of the BWF World Tour, below the Super 1000, 750 and 500 events. Each level offers different ranking points and prize money, as explained in BWF's guide to the World Tour structure. Even so, it matters a great deal for players. Ranking points earned here help shuttlers climb toward bigger tournaments, which is why the draw mixes established stars with rising Indian talent.
The Story Behind the Name
The tournament began in 1991 as the Syed Modi Memorial Badminton Tournament, organised by the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association. It was named in memory of Syed Modi, the Commonwealth Games men's singles champion from 1982 and one of the most respected names in Indian badminton.
The event joined the international circuit as a BWF Grand Prix tournament in 2009, and it has been part of the World Tour as a Super 300 event since 2018.
Syed Modi International Tournament 2026: Dates and Venue
According to the Badminton Association of India's 2026-27 calendar, the Syed Modi International tournament 2026 is scheduled for 24 to 29 November 2026 in Lucknow. In recent years the tournament has been played at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium. Dates, venue and ticketing can change, so confirm the latest details on the official BWF and BAI websites before you plan travel.
For reference, the 2025 edition ran from 25 to 30 November, so the event has settled into a late November slot at the end of the year's World Tour calendar.
For other tournaments and sporting fixtures in India, see ListingSports' upcoming sports events in India calendar.
Prize Money and Ranking Points
Prize money has grown steadily. The total purse was US150,000in2018,rosetoUS210,000 in 2023 and 2024, and reached US240,000in2025.EachsingleschampiontookhomeUS18,000 in the 2025 edition, with prize money distributed under BWF regulations.
As a Super 300 event, the tournament awards BWF ranking points to players based on how far they progress, which gives it real weight in the race for rankings and qualification spots.
Recent Winners
The tournament has produced memorable champions in recent years.
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2025: Jason Gunawan won the men's singles and Hina Akechi won the women's singles. Their titles are covered in www.thehindu.com.
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2024: Lakshya Sen won the men's singles and P. V. Sindhu won the women's singles, a home-crowd favourite result in Lucknow.
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2023: Chi Yu-jen took the men's title and Nozomi Okuhara the women's.
One of the most unusual moments came in 2022, when the men's singles title was not awarded because of circumstances involving both finalists, a first in the tournament's history and in the sport.
Why This Tournament Matters for Indian Badminton
Hosting a Super 300 event in Uttar Pradesh does more than give fans a week of good badminton. It gives young Indian players a chance to compete in front of home crowds, and it gives local players and parents a visible, reachable example of what a professional pathway looks like.
For a child training at a local academy, watching a world tour match live can do more for motivation than months of encouragement. For adult beginners, it is often the spark that finally gets them to book their first court.
If you are deciding what to do next, read our guide to choosing between an academy, coach, club, venue or event. It explains which type of sports option fits regular training, casual play or tournament participation.
How to Follow or Attend the Tournament
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Watch Live: BWF streams World Tour matches on its official digital channels, and broadcast partners usually carry the later rounds.
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Attend in Person: Tickets for early rounds are generally affordable, and the quarter-finals to finals draw the biggest crowds.
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Follow the Draw: Check the BWF tournament page for seedings, match schedules and live scores once the main draw is released.
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Plan your Trip: If you are travelling to Lucknow, book accommodation early, as hotels near the venue fill up during tournament week.
Turning Tournament Inspiration Into Your Own Game
Every year, the days after a major tournament bring a visible jump in people searching for badminton coaching and courts. If watching the Syed Modi International makes you want to play, or sparks interest in your child, the next step is finding the right academy, coach or court near you.
As a sports listing platform in India, ListingSports helps readers explore published sports businesses and events by sport and location. Browse badminton businesses and events on Listing Sports as a starting point for discovery.
The details available differ between listings. Contact the provider to confirm batch timings, fees, coach credentials, trial-session availability and court access. A directory listing is not a confirmed booking, and this guide does not establish that Listing Sports has available badminton providers in Lucknow.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Syed Modi International?
It is an annual BWF World Tour Super 300 badminton tournament held in Lucknow, India, named after Commonwealth Games champion Syed Modi.
2. When is the Syed Modi International 2026?
The Badminton Association of India calendar lists it for 24 to 29 November 2026 in Lucknow. Always confirm on the official BWF or BAI pages before booking travel.
3. Is the Syed Modi International a Super 300 event?
Yes. It has been a BWF World Tour Super 300 tournament since 2018.
4. How much prize money does the tournament offer?
The 2025 edition offered US240,000intotalprizemoney,upfromUS150,000 in 2018.
5. Who won the Syed Modi International in 2024?
Lakshya Sen won the men's singles and P. V. Sindhu won the women's singles.
6. How can I start playing badminton after watching the tournament?
Search for a beginner-friendly academy or coach near you, try a trial session, and book a court for regular play. A directory like Listing Sports lets you compare options by city in one place.
Find Your Court, Coach or Academy on Listing Sports
The Syed Modi International shows what the sport looks like at the top. Your own journey starts much closer to home. Browse badminton academies, coaches, courts and local events on Listing Sports, and take your first step from the stands onto the court.
