Bhubaneswar : The Premier Badminton League (PBL), India’s premier franchise badminton competition, is all set for a vibrant comeback after a long pause. Confirmed by Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), the league will resume following the conclusion of the 2026 Asian Games due to a packed international calendar and COVID-related disruptions.
Since its inception in 2016, the PBL has been a powerhouse of badminton excitement in India. The league has seen thrilling battles across five seasons until 2020, with teams like Delhi Dashers, Chennai Smashers, Hyderabad Hunters, and Bengaluru Raptors—who clinched the last two titles—lighting up the courts. The league’s unique format featured round-robin ties with matches including men’s and women’s singles and doubles, further electrified by the Trump-Match rule.
“This league is a vital platform for nurturing young talent and giving fans the chance to witness world-class badminton stars up close,” Mishra said. The return of PBL promises to inject fresh energy into India’s blossoming badminton ecosystem, spotlighting stars like P. V. Sindhu and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, while inspiring the next generation of shuttlers.
The 2020 season, held across various venues in India including the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, was the last time fans witnessed this spectacle before the break. The countdown begins now, with anticipation building for PBL’s exciting return after the 2026 Asian Games, rekindling India’s passion for the sport at a franchise-level extravaganza.
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