BWF Proposes 3x15 Scoring System; Ex-Shuttler Questions 'Constant Tinkering'

Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 15:30 IST

BWF’s proposed 3x15 scoring shift has sparked debate, with former shuttler Sanjay Sharma questioning the need for change.

The Badminton World Federation Council has approved a proposal to introduce a new 3×15 scoring system as the sport’s official format. The recommendation will be presented for a membership vote at the BWF Annual General Meeting on April 25 in Horsens, Denmark.

The step comes after an extensive multi-year review process that included in-depth statistical analysis, live tournament trials and wide-ranging consultations with key stakeholders across the badminton community.

Former Indian shuttler Sanjay Sharma tells News18 Sports, “The scoring system was ‘serve-only’ 15-point format, to the current ‘rally-point’ 21-point system. In the 15-point format, you got a point only on service. You had to fight at a rally, win the rally and then you could get a point. BWF then changed it to 21 points."

“In between (2001), they changed it to seven points, five games. One of our nationals that Gopichand won was in that format. Hence, it’s no good tinkering with the scoring system. There is tennis; nothing has changed in the format. Why does BWF keep changing it?" Sharma asks.

At its meeting on Saturday, November 8, the BWF Council concluded that the 3×15 scoring system, with setting to 21, offers the ‘optimal balance between match excitement, competitive fairness, player welfare and overall tournament presentation’.

“Whatever scoring system is in place, you still get fantastic matches. In the old 15-point system, when points came only on serve, we saw singles matches stretch to an hour and 15 minutes or more and both players would be exhausted on court, but the crowd loved it and appreciated the quality on display," Sharma says.

“Players will adapt to any system you introduce and will always strive to perform at their best. So, I don’t really understand the need for all the debate and comments around it," Sharma adds.

While BWF has several reasons for suggesting a 3×15 scoring system, one of the most notable ones is ‘shorter and more predictable match durations’. The federation says that this format can streamline scheduling, improve overall tournament flow and deliver greater broadcast consistency, while also aiding player recovery and helping to minimise fatigue.

Asked how he thinks broadcast consistency would improve due to the 3×15 scoring system, Sharma says, “Even if you play up to 15 points and reach 14-all, you still have to close it out at 21 and nobody really complains about that. Players adapt to whatever situation they are put in; that is what we are trained to do."

“BWF says that the change will improve broadcasting, help players feel better and make the sport more well-known. But I don’t believe we are lacking attention right now. The sport already has strong demand and plenty of interest, I ain’t convinced that changing the scoring system is the solution to that," Sharma adds.

Last year, 2018 Asian Games gold medallist Jonatan Christie questioned the proposed shift from the 21-point system to 15, arguing that the more pressing problem for the BWF is the congested calendar that elite shuttlers are compelled to navigate throughout the season.

“I don’t know what BWF are thinking. I feel the 21-point system is fine, but there are just too many tournaments right now and many players have complained about injuries due to fatigue," Christie had said while speaking to The Star.

Sharma says, “Definitely. The players have to play year-round and they need time to recuperate. So there is nothing wrong with Christie’s demand. It’s all fair."

Notably, the format has already featured under the Alternative Laws of Badminton and was trialled at select national and Grade 3 tournaments, as well as at last year’s BWF World Junior Championships.

The BWF maintains that shortening the game length leads to more frequent close-score scenarios and high-intensity rallies, thereby enhancing overall match suspense and excitement.

But one would need to wait for two more months to see whether BWF continues with its 21-point scoring system or reverts to the century-old 15-point format.

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