AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND — The M+Q is now available for the VICTOR Oceania Championships 2026.
With 242 individual entries, this year’s event, hosted by Badminton North Harbour, is set to be one of the largest championships in Oceania’s history.
The individual championships will run from 8-12 February, with the team’s competition finishing the week between 13-15 February.
With entries from Australia, Cook Islands, Tahiti, Northern Mariana Islands, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Fiji, there will be plenty of opportunities for the best in the region to reinforce their position — and for underdogs to shake up the competition.
Here are some of the players to watch:
Women’s Singles:
Hometown hero and reigning Oceania WS champion, Shaunna Li (NZL) will return to the court to defend her title.
2025 Runner up, Tiffany Ho (AUS), is also in the hunt for her second Oceania WS trophy.
Amy Wang, the young New Zealand player took the region by storm in her performances at last year’s MAXX North Harbour International and SATHIO GROUP Australian Open. She will be back in action at her second Oceania championships.
Men’s Singles:
The men’s singles will be hotly contested. With 122 entries across seven countries, players from across the region will all look to prove themselves on the sport’s biggest regional stage.
Leading the charge is the 2025 winner, Jack Yu (AUS). The Falcon, who gained experience at his first BWF World Championships in August, will be one to watch.
Edward Lau (NZL) and Shrey Dhand (AUS) are both entered and will look to improve on their finishes from last year’s tournament.
2025 MS quarterfinalist, Antoine Beaubois (TAH), also regions the field. As the highest finisher from any country outside of Australia and New Zealand last year, he could surprise his competitors.
Women’s Doubles:
Oceania’s highest-ranked pair, Angela Yu/Gronya Somerville (AUS), will target a second gold medal as a duo at North Harbour.
The rest of the draw features a mix of new pairings and established partnerships.
2025 VICTOR Oceania Junior WD Champions and VOC 2025 runner-ups, Mimi Ngo and Maureen Wijaya (AUS), will not play this year’s tournament together.
Instead, Ngo will take the court with Xiwen Liang (AUS), while Wijaya pairs up with Priska Kustiadi (AUS).
The Tjonadi sisters (AUS) will also hope to improve on their quarterfinal finish from last year. Victoria had strong performances throughout 2025, including competing in three finals at the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships. Sydney’s experience on the Oceania circuit should serve their campaign well this year.
Men’s Doubles:
The men’s doubles has undergone a complete transformation from last year.
New Zealand’s Adam Jeffrey and Raphael Deloy will be hunting for their first title after beginning their partnership mid-2025, while Dylan Soedjasa will joins forces with compatriot Chris Benzie (NZL).
Australia’s Jack Yu is also a highly anticipated entry in a new partnership with Rizky Hidayat (AUS), who has previously reached the quarterfinals of the SATHIO GROUP Australian Open.
Mixed Doubles:
Edward Lau/Shaunna Li (NZL) enter the mixed doubles competition following a successful 2025. The Kiwi pair achieved their highest world ranking (65) and their first appearance at the BWF world championships.
However, Rizky Hidayat and Gronya Somerville could challenge the Kiwis. The Australian pair will unite for the first time at this year’s championship.
Northern Marianas’ young pair Jude Mallari/Genelyn Lansangan, found momentum in their hometown tournaments last August, reaching the quarterfinals of the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open. They will gain invaluable experience in their first senior continental championship.
With defending champions, rising stars, and new partnerships all vying for glory, the 2026 VICTOR Oceania Championships is shaping up to be unmissable.
Mark your calendars for 8-15 February and head to Badminton North Harbour to witness the action first hand. Entry is free, parking is free, and there’s an on-site café—everything you need for a perfect day of quality badminton.
The Full M+ Q is available here.
Photos via Paul Foxall, Northern Marianas Badminton Association and BWF/BadmintonPhoto
