Badminton Oceania has agreed to test the proposed new BWF scoring system in two of our five 2025 International Challenge tournaments.
The DOVE Saipan International 2025 (12-16 August) and the ROKETTO Sydney Invitational 2025 (8-12 October) will implement the new 3×15 system. These tournaments were purposely selected as they take place a week after another International Challenge tournament with standard scoring.
In the case of the DOVE Saipan International in the Northern Marianas Islands, it will be played in the week following the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open. This is the third year these two tournaments will be played consecutively, where 95% of attending players participate in both competitions.
The ROKETTO Sydney Invitational is scheduled between the MAXX North Harbour International in New Zealand and the YONEX Bendigo International. History shows that a high percentage of players will play in all three tournaments.
Julie Carrel, BOC Secretary General, says the timing of these tournaments will give the DOVE Saipan International and the ROKETTO Sydney International a point of difference.
“It will also give the players an opportunity to make a good assessment about the new proposed scoring,” she says. “We also know that the results of each player will determine their rating of the new proposal. For example, if a player wins one of the two tournaments with the trial scoring, they will love it; conversely if they lose first round, they won’t like it.”
The Proposed Scoring System
The new matches consist of best-of-three games, where a game is won by the side that first reaches 15 points (minimum difference of two points). If the score becomes 14-all, the side that gains a two-point lead first shall win that game. If the score becomes 20-all, the side to score the 21st point wins the game.
Additionally, a change of ends will occur in the third game when a side first scores eight points.
The hosts for the tournaments will collect match data. All stakeholders, including Member Association leadership and staff, event organisers and volunteers, players, coaches, and technical officials will be asked to complete an online survey about their experience with the new 3×15 system.
Based on the feedback, the BWF Council will make a final decision about the new system to the BWF Annual General Meeting 2026.
Find more information about the proposed scoring system on the BWF website.
