Badminton: Individual Championships 2025-26 (Part of BUCS Nationals)

Friday 13 - Sunday 15 February 2026

English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Badminton Hall

Coleridge Road

Sheffield

S9 5DA

Acceptances and seeding will be published here by Tuesday 3 February 2026.

Competitors must register before their first match on the day of competition. Competitors who do not register, and do not show for their first match, will be withdrawn. Competitors may be required to provide a valid student identification card at registration to confirm their eligibility.

Registration is located at Event Control on the first-floor balcony in the Netball Hall. Registration opens one hour before competition starts (9.30am on Friday 13 February). Competitors should allow time to register before competing and are encouraged to register as soon as they arrive at the venue. Once registered it is assumed that you are ready to play.

Registration times are as follows:

Open Singles – Friday 13 February 10.30am (Registration opens at 9.30am)

Female Singles – Friday 13 February 12.30pm

Mixed Doubles – Friday 13 February 3.30pm

Open Doubles – Saturday 14 February 11.30am (Updated match specific times will be available at start of the tournament)

Female Doubles – Saturday 14 February 8.45am (Updated match specific times will be available at start of the tournament)

NB – Seeded players in the main draw (Round 4) of events will not be required until Saturday 14 February.

The draw for the competition will be published online on Wednesday 11 February on the Badminton England Tournament Software.

The competition is run using a straight knockout format. There are no group stages.

Finals will take place on Sunday 15 February from approximately 2.30pm. The finals are estimated to finish by 7.00pm. Timings are subject to change.

Presentations will take place after the conclusion of each final on Sunday 15 February, where medals and trophies will be awarded to competitors.

BUCS Points will be awarded to the winner, runner-up and third placed competitors in each discipline. The points will be applied as follows: 1^st = 12 points, 2^nd = 8 points, 3^rd = 5 points (both losing semi-finalists will receive points – no third place play off will take place). These points set will be awarded to both singles and doubles disciplines.

Please see Appendix 1 for the BUCS Points available at this event.

Institutions can make changes to their entries through until the entry closing date.

Changes, including withdrawals, after the entry closing date must be made in writing by an athletic union or students’ union and emailed to the BUCS Event Coordinator, Tanyel Mustafa.  Please use the format outlined below.

Withdrawals after the entry closing date will still be charged the entry fee. Withdrawal of a competitor does not guarantee a replacement into the competition. Appropriate replacements due to withdrawals will be selected based on the competitor’s information provided with their entry.

Institutions can only make changes to their entries from competitors listed as guaranteed, non-guaranteed, or on the reserve lists. The reserve lists must be entered via BUCS Play before the entry closing date.

Competitors who do not withdraw, and do not register at the venue, will be classified as a ‘no-show’ and charged the entry fee. An additional £20 fine payable by the competitor’s athletic union or students’ union will be issued.

Please see REG 7.9 for our withdrawal policy.

All BUCS badminton competitions are governed in accordance with the National Governing Body rules and regulations, unless superseded by BUCS Badminton Rules and Regulations.

The BUCS Tournament Referee has the final decision in all sporting competition matters. This includes any rulings or disputes not covered by regulations and the speed of shuttles used.

Competitors not on court within 5 minutes of their match being announced will forfeit the match.

In Rounds 1-3 (Qualifying Rounds), play shall be continuous from the first service until the end of the match. There shall be no intervals: when a side reaches 11 points in a game, between the first and second games, and between the second and third games.

From Round 4 (Main Draw) onwards coaching and intervals will be allowed.

Regulation clothing should be worn during matches, including clean rubber or similar soled footwear (non-marking).

Competitors must provide their own equipment. BUCS will provide shuttles. BUCS cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to an individual’s possessions left in the venue.

All equipment bags should be left in the bag store located next to the entrance to the Netball Hall (courts 1-12) on the ground floor. Due to space restrictions competitors are encouraged to only bring essential items into the venue.

Any equipment bags taken into the balcony seating area in the Basketball Hall (courts 13-16) will be removed by security.

Please note that the use of air horns, vuvuzelas, or similar noise-making devices by spectators is strictly prohibited.

There is limited car parking available at EIS. This costs £5 per car and is cash only. Please note this is on a first come, first served basis.

Any coaches will need to drop students on Coleridge Road, and then find somewhere to park, as there is no onsite coach parking. There are local industrial estates or Meadowhall available for parking.

Main Changing is located in the foyer of EISS. There are also gender-neutral changing facilities along the bottom corridor near seminar rooms.

There is an onsite café which can be used for purchasing food and drink throughout the day. There are also a number of local shops and restaurants located around EISS. 

It is the responsibility of competitors to organise accommodation for themselves. No accommodation will be provided by BUCS.

BUCS is delighted to announce Milk Every Moment and Subway as the supporting partners of Nationals 2026, and Ashaway as the Sports Programme Partner for Badminton.  

Milk Every Moment is a campaign showcasing milk, the timeless classic in your fridge; it’s more than just a beverage, it's a nutritional powerhouse. Loaded with essential nutrients, it's a top-notch source of high-quality protein and has all you need to build and repair muscles after a workout. Whether you're gearing up for your race or looking to recover post event, take a look at the website for more information and useful recipes. You will find Milk Every Moment ambassadors located across the venues during the event, where they'll be offering the opportunity to win some exclusive giveaways.

Subway joins Nationals 2026 as a supporting partner through its wider BUCS collaboration, encouraging students to get active as part of its ‘Fresh Moves’ initiative. During the event, Subway will be present across venues with fun activations, games, and more opportunities to win exclusive giveaways.

Ashaway returns as the Sports Programme Partner for Badminton, providing high-quality equipment and support to ensure the competition is delivered to the highest standard.

Our Nationals 2026 partners are excited to be supporting you as you take on a thrilling weekend of sport. You can also find further information about our partners on the official event webpage.

Anyone wishing to take photos or video at this event must complete the BUCS Nationals Media Accreditation Form prior to the event.

BUCS reserves the right to prohibit photography equipment being used at a BUCS event. BUCS reserves the right to request that the individual ceases to take photographs, deletes any images and, if considered necessary, leaves the venue.

If you wish to take photos or videos at this event, please contact the BUCS Event Lead. 

Players and/or coaches are not permitted to livestream their matches on their phones. Please note that the use of tripods should be avoided where possible, particularly around the courts.

BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.

Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.

To find out more or report a concern, please click here.

The sustainability of our event matters to us and these are the positive steps we are taking to manage our environmental impact:

• All staff and volunteers are encouraged to travel to the event via public transport
• We have used local suppliers where possible
• Event programmes are all online, minimising paper use
• We are beginning to track our carbon footprint across BUCS events to identify areas of improvement.

How can you help at this event? Here’s some ideas:

• Be self-sufficient by bringing your own refillable bottles and coffee cups to reduce waste.
• Ensure you are disposing of waste correctly – Check around the venue for specific recycling and food waste bins.
• Travel smarter – as a team on a minibus, cycle or use public transport.
• Go paperless - use your phone for all event information

All questions should be communicated by an institution’s athletic union or students’ union staff member to Tanyel Mustafa (BUCS Event Lead).