Designing a Legacy: The BWF World Badminton Championships 2026 Mascot Search
New Delhi is officially counting down to a historic moment in sports. From August 17 to August 23, 2026, the BWF World Badminton Championship returns to India after a 17-year wait. This homecoming marks a massive milestone for the country, which last hosted the prestigious event in 2009.
Since then, India has evolved into a global badminton powerhouse. The 2026 championships will serve as a global stage, showcasing elite talent and the kind of intense, high-stakes competition that only a World Championship can provide. To commemorate this return, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has launched a nationwide hunt for an official mascot that will become the face of the tournament.
Official Mascot Design Competition
Become a part of sporting history! The Badminton Association of India invites you to design the official mascot for the world’s most prestigious badminton tournament. This is a rare opportunity for artists and creators to leave a lasting mark on the international sporting landscape.
Prizes for the Winner:
Cash Prize: INR 25,000
Experience: VIP Tickets for the Semifinals or Finals
Legacy: National recognition and official felicitation during the event.
The Creative Vision
The search is on for a mascot that captures the soul of the host nation and the energy of the sport. The BAI has highlighted three pillars for a successful design:
Indian Identity: The design should be a proud reflection of Indian culture, heritage, and the national spirit.
Badminton Connection: The mascot must have a clear link to the game, whether through its equipment, a dynamic action pose, or its overall expression.
Professional Quality: Designs must be high-resolution (300 DPI) and suitable for everything from digital screens to physical merchandise.
Strict Competition Rules and Integrity
To maintain the highest standards of originality, the BAI has established strict guidelines. It is vital for all applicants to note that this is a celebration of human creativity.
No AI Assistance: Designs created fully or partially using AI tools like Midjourney or DALL-E will be disqualified. Every stroke must be human-created.
Digital or Ink Only: To ensure clean reproduction, the committee will not accept crayon, watercolor, or textured hand-drawings. Only clean digital fills or professional scanned ink work are permitted.
Originality is Mandatory: Plagiarism, tracing, or the use of third-party intellectual property (such as existing logos or characters) is strictly prohibited.
Content Standards: Submissions must be respectful and consistent with the values of the Badminton Association of India and the Government of India.
Rights and Ownership
Participants should be aware that submitting an entry involves a legal transfer of rights. By entering, the winning designer irrevocably assigns all worldwide rights, titles, and interests—including copyright—to the BAI and BWF. This allows the organizations to use, modify, and commercially exploit the design for merchandising and promotion across all global media formats.
How to Apply
If you are a designer or an artist ready to see your work represent India on the world stage, you can submit your entry through the official application link below. Ensure your files are in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format and do not exceed the 10 MB limit.
Competition Details at a Glance:
Event Dates: August 17 – August 23, 2026
Location: New Delhi, India
Official Entry Form: Click Here to Apply via Google Forms
(Note: Please ensure you have read the full terms and conditions on the form before submitting your work. For participants under 18, parental consent is required.)
