Starting from tomorrow, the Badminton competition will be taking place at the second edition of the European Games in Minsk. 144 badminton players will be competing in five categories. But why is it so important?

One big reason is that Badminton is one of eight sports with Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification on the line in Minsk. As a result, players preparing at the Falcon Club badminton venue know that the stakes and level has been significantly raised. Fierce competition is expected when the tournament officially begins tomorrow.

European Olympic Committee officials are striving to raise the profile and level of competition, while building the brand at the Games. President Janez Kocijančič stressed the necessity to have “very strong Olympic qualifications” at Minsk 2019 as well as the next edition of the Games in 2023, which the EOC awarded to Krakow, Poland yesterday.

Malopolska region, city of Krakow to host 3rd European Games in 2023

The singles categories will have 8 groups of 4, with the top 2 players going into the last 16 knockout. Whilst the doubles categories will have 4 groups of 4, with the top 2 pairs going into the quarter-finals. Who will be on the podium at the end of the week?

All the player’s know the score. The prize of winning is massive and potentially life-changing. So for fans of top-level Badminton, the European Games will be a terrific spectacle, and Badminton Europe will be here reporting on the results throughout the week.

Also, if you are wanting to watch the action of defending Champions, Olympic medalists and World Champions in Belarus, national broadcasters will be showing badminton at the European Games 2019 on TV. 

For the full draw and schedule, click here.