RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Jakarta is preparing to welcome 248 athletes from 22 countries for the prestigious Indonesia Open 2026, part of the BWF World Tour Super 1000 series.

The tournament, offering a total prize purse of USD 1.45 million (approximately IDR 25 billion), will take place at Istora Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Senayan from June 2–7, 2026.

Renowned as one of the most anticipated events on the global badminton calendar, the Indonesia Open is celebrated not only for its elite competition but also for the electrifying atmosphere of Istora, which has long cemented Indonesia’s reputation as a badminton powerhouse.

Top international stars confirmed to compete include An Se-young, Shi Yuqi, Chen Yufei, Anders Antonsen, Christo Popov, Ratchanok Intanon, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, and Wang Chang.

Indonesia will field its strongest lineup, featuring Jonatan Christie and Putri Kusuma Wardani in singles, alongside doubles specialists Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin, and Amallia Cahya Pratiwi/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti.

Rising talents such as Alwi Farhan, Raymond Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin, and Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu will also take part, making the tournament a stage for both established champions and the next generation.

Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) Chairman M. Fadil Imran emphasized that the Indonesia Open serves as both a showcase and a platform for athlete regeneration.

“We aim to deliver world-class organization while continuing the vital work of nurturing talent for the Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Strong events and strong development must go hand in hand,” he said.

Former world champion and PBSI Vice Chairman I, Taufik Hidayat, added that the Indonesia Open carries special meaning for local players. “Competing at Istora is not only about technical skill, but also courage, mental strength, and readiness to face pressure from the home crowd. That’s what makes this tournament unique,” he noted.

With competition growing increasingly fierce and evenly matched worldwide, Indonesian players are expected to gain invaluable experience on home soil as they continue their pursuit of excellence at the highest level. (Misni Parjiati)