Chengdu Set to Host 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals, Showcasing Upgraded Facilities and Global Competition

The 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals, the prestigious badminton team championships, will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, from April 27 to May 5. A total of 32 elite men's and women's badminton teams from 20 countries will compete for the world championship titles at the Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone Sports Center, which has been upgraded with new lighting, Hawk-Eye cameras, and other facilities to enhance the quality of the tournament.

This marks the first time a city in western China will host the biennial event. China, the most successful nation in Uber Cup history with 15 titles, aims to reclaim the crown after losing to South Korea in the previous finals. The Chinese men's team, led by world No.2 Shi Yuqi and No.6 Li Shifeng, is expected to perform better than their quarterfinal exit in the last Thomas Cup.

The Thomas Cup, the men's championship, features at least six equally-strong contenders: China, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, India, and Denmark. India, the defending champions, will face a resurgent Indonesia in a key Group C clash. Denmark, with players like Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen, are also among the frontline contenders.

In the Uber Cup, the women's equivalent, South Korea is the defending champion. However, the Korean team faces challenges as they defend their title, with ace player An Se Young nursing a knee injury and another key player, Kim Ga Eun, also injured. The Korean coach, Sung Ji Hyun, acknowledges the pressure on the team and the challenges they face in the singles events but believes they can still pull off another impressive campaign.

Why this matters: The 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals is the most important badminton tournament ahead of the Paris Olympic Games in July 2024. With over 700 million fans worldwide and 339 million active participants, badminton has experienced significant growth, attracting more young people than ever to the sport.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, which will be played as best-of-five individual matches. The finals of both championships will take place on May 5. Fans can watch the events live on the BWF's YouTube channel and BWF TV, as well as on various domestic television broadcasters. As HS Prannoy, a veteran Indian shuttler who played a pivotal role in India's historic Thomas Cup win in 2022, stated, "As India prepares to defend the Thomas Cup title, Prannoy acknowledges the pressure and the tough competition they will face, but he is hopeful that the team's strong singles and doubles players can help them retain the trophy."

Key Takeaways

• 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Chengdu, China from April 27 to May 5
• 32 elite men's and women's teams from 20 countries to compete
• China aims to reclaim Uber Cup title, India defends Thomas Cup
• Top 2 teams from each group advance to quarter-finals
• Matches to be live-streamed on BWF's YouTube and TV channels