Overview
A famous backyard net game, badminton made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport in 1972. Two decades later, it was contested at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona as a medal event.
Badminton is played in a singles or doubles format, with athletes stationed on either side of a net using rackets to hit a shuttlecock — a high-drag, feather projectile, also known as a “birdie” — back and forth.
The goal is for a player to land a well-placed shot so their opponent can’t successfully return it. Points are won on every serve and games are played to 21 (win by two).
Historically, China is the most decorated country at Olympic badminton, having won 22 gold medals (more than double the next highest total) and 52 medals overall. Indonesia, the second most decorated, has earned 22 total Olympic medals.
The United States has not yet earned any Olympic hardware in badminton, but did claim silver in para badminton mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
What are the Olympic badminton events for 2028?
Five different badminton events will be contested at the 2028 Summer Games:
- Men's singles
- Women's singles
- Men's doubles
- Women's doubles
- Mixed doubles
Countries compete in best-of-three games to 21 points (win by two).
Each Olympic event will consist of a group stage, quarterfinals, semifinals and gold and bronze medal games. Athletes with the best records in the group stage move onto single-elimination tournament play.
What is the competition schedule for badminton at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
Olympic badminton is set to begin Saturday, July 15, and end Monday, July 24.
| DATE | EVENTS |
|---|---|
| Sat, 7/15 | M/W Singles and M/W/Mixed Doubles: Group Play |
| Sun, 7/16 | M/W Singles and M/W/Mixed Doubles: Group Play |
| Mon, 7/17 | M/W Singles and M/W/Mixed Doubles: Group Play |
| Tues, 7/18 | M/W Singles and M/W Doubles: Group Play |
| Wed, 7/19 | M/W Singles: Group Play and Mixed Doubles: QF |
| Thurs, 7/20 | M/W Singles: Round of 16, M/W Doubles: QF and Mixed Doubles: SF |
| Fri, 7/21 | M Singles: QF, M/W Doubles: SF and Mixed Doubles: Medal Finals 🏅 |
| Sat, 7/22 | W Singles: QF and W Doubles: Medal Finals 🏅 |
| Sun, 7/23 | M/W Singles: SF and M Doubles: Medal Finals 🏅 |
| Mon, 7/24 | M/W Singles: Medal Finals 🏅 |
These dates are subject to change. Check the NBC Olympics schedule page closer to the Games for more detailed viewing information.
You can watch every event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics LIVE by subscribing to Peacock. Users can also authenticate with their cable subscription, which allows them to watch live streams of every Olympic event on NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app or the NBC Sports app.
All streams can be viewed in web browsers or on your phones, tablets or connected TV devices.
Where will the badminton competition be held at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
All badminton games will be held at the Galen Center, a multipurpose indoor athletic facility and entertainment venue owned by the University of Southern California. It's the official home of USC Trojan basketball and volleyball.
Rhythmic gymnastics and para badminton will also take place at the Galen Center.
