Badminton Asia and the Philippine Badminton Association formally launched AirBadminton — the outdoor variation of badminton — in the Philippines on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at The Village Sports Club in Parañaque City.
The event marked another milestone in the development of badminton across Asia, as the sport continues to evolve to become more inclusive and accessible to communities.
Leading the launch was Badminton Asia Senior Development Manager Thana Arikrishnan, a former national team player from Malaysia, who emphasized how AirBadminton brings the game beyond indoor courts and into open spaces.
“Compared to traditional badminton, AirBadminton can be played outdoors — on grass, hard courts, or even sand,” said Arikrishnan.
“The goal is to make badminton accessible to everyone, regardless of where they are. It’s a faster, more dynamic version of the sport, designed for everyone to enjoy.”
AirBadminton uses the specially designed AirShuttle, which is wind-resistant but still compatible with standard badminton rackets.
The court measures 16 meters by 6 meters, smaller than a traditional one, with no tramlines and a 2-meter “dead zone” near the net to encourage more rallies and aggressive play.
The format features best-of-five games played to 11 points, and can be enjoyed in singles, doubles, or triples formats — making it suitable for both recreational and competitive players.
Members of the media were also given the chance to experience AirBadminton firsthand during a friendly match following the formal launch, highlighting the sport’s fast-paced and engaging nature.
Looking ahead, PBAD Head of Developments Melvin Nubla expressed optimism about the sport’s future in the country.
“We’re very excited to bring AirBadminton to more Filipinos,” said Nubla.
“Our goal for 2026 is to organize more AirBadminton events and tournaments nationwide — from schools to communities — so that more people can discover and enjoy this exciting version of the sport.”
