The main draw and qualifying (M+Q) lists are out, and the countdown is on. From 30 September to 4 October, Auckland’s North Shore becomes the centre of Oceania badminton, as a stacked field of local stars and international contenders battles it out at North Harbour.
The champions are coming back for more
Defending men’s singles champion Wang Po-Wei (TPE) and women’s singles champion Tung Ciou-Tung (TPE) are both back to defend their crowns, and they won’t have it easy.
2025 runner-up Mikaela De Guzman (PHI), a firm fan favourite, returns with unfinished business and her sights set on gold.
Chen Su Yu (TPE)—one half of last year’s women’s doubles gold-winning pair with Yi En Hsieh—is back too, doubling up in the women’s singles as well.
In the men’s doubles, Julius Villabrille/Solomon Jr. Padiz (PHI) will look to go one better after a breakout bronze last year. And mixed doubles runners-up, Andika Ramadiansyah/Nozomi Shimizu (AUS) return to North Harbour hunting the title that got away.
Oceania on home turf
Big news in the women’s doubles: Gronya Somerville and Angela Yu (AUS) are teaming up again. The pair cracked the world’s top 30 last year and will make their first appearance together since February’s VICTOR Oceania Championships, a partnership worth watching closely.
Angela Yu doubles up again, pairing with brother Jack Yu for their first international mixed doubles outing since 2020.
On the men’s singles side, local favourite Edward Lau (NZL) leads a deep Oceania contingent, alongside 2026 Oceania MS champion Shrey Dhand (AUS) and semifinalists Ephraim Stephen Sam (AUS) and Ricky Cheng (NZL).
In the women’s singles, 14 Oceania players line up for their shot at glory, including Australia’s Kai Qi (Bernice) Teoh and New Zealand’s Jenny Zhu.
MAXX North Harbour International 2026 Tournament details
The MAXX North Harbour International 2026 is a BWF International Challenge event, running 30 September – 4 October at the Badminton North Harbour Centre, 47 Bond Crescent, Auckland.
Whether you’re courtside or following from afar, this is five days of top-tier shuttle action not to be missed. Full details, including the prospectus and full M+Q, are available via Badminton Oceania.
