Denmark Open
The Denmark Open is an annual badminton tournament held in Odense, Denmark, recognized as one of the oldest international badminton competitions in the world, having been established in 1936 as the International Championships of Denmark.[1] Organized by Badminton Denmark, the event features elite players competing in five categories—men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles—and has been a key fixture on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour since 2018, classified as a Super 750 tournament with a total prize fund of USD 950,000.[2][3] Originally hosted in Copenhagen, the tournament was interrupted by World War II from 1940 to 1945 and again paused from 1956 to 1964 due to organizational challenges, before resuming and gaining prominence as a showcase for global talent.[1] In recent years, it has been sponsored by Victor and held at the Jyske Bank Arena, drawing large crowds for its high-stakes matches and featuring historic achievements, such as South Korea's An Seyoung winning the women's singles title and becoming the first singles player to win all Super 750 tournaments in her career.[2][4] The Denmark Open continues to embody Denmark's deep badminton heritage, which dates back to the sport's introduction in the country in 1925, fostering international rivalries and crowning champions like Indonesia's Jonatan Christie, who defeated China's Shi Yu Qi in the 2025 men's singles final.[5][4]Overview
Tournament Profile
The Denmark Open, founded in 1936 as the International Championships of Denmark, holds the distinction of being the second-oldest international badminton tournament after the All England Open Badminton Championships.[1][3] Organized by Badminton Denmark, it has become a cornerstone of the sport, attracting top global talent and showcasing high-level competition across multiple disciplines. Since 2018, the tournament has been categorized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as a Super 750 event within the BWF World Tour, one of the highest tiers in professional badminton.[6] Winners in singles earn 11,000 ranking points, contributing significantly to players' world standings and qualification for major events like the Olympics.[7] By 2025, the event had reached its 74th edition, reflecting its enduring legacy despite historical interruptions.[8] The 2025 Denmark Open, sponsored by Victor, featured a total prize pool of USD 950,000, with USD 66,500 awarded to each singles champion, underscoring its status as a premier economic incentive in the sport.[7] Held annually in October, the six-day format allows for intensive main draw play, typically spanning from the first round through to finals.[2]Categories and Format
The Denmark Open features five main categories: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles.[2] The tournament follows a single-elimination format across all categories, with matches consisting of the best of three games, each played to 21 points and requiring a two-point margin to win (or up to 30 points if tied at 29-29). The main draw comprises 32 players for singles and 32 pairs for doubles.[9] Qualification is determined by the BWF World Rankings, with the top-ranked players receiving direct entry into the main draw as seeds (up to eight per category), while additional spots are filled as alternates from the ranking list. The host nation, Denmark, benefits from up to two wild cards per category, typically awarded to the highest-ranked eligible Danish players or pairs to provide home advantage. Seeding within the draw is based strictly on rankings to prevent early matchups between top competitors.[9]History
Early Years and Interruptions
The Denmark Open badminton tournament was established in 1936 as the "International Championships of Denmark," held in Copenhagen and organized by the Badminton Association of Denmark (BAD). Inspired by similar European competitions, the inaugural event emphasized participation from European players and featured five categories: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles. In the first edition, Danish players dominated completely, securing victories in all categories, with Poul Nielsen winning the men's singles.[1][10] From 1937 to 1939, the tournament continued annually, solidifying its status as a key European badminton event with four editions in total during the pre-World War II period. Early dominance was shared primarily between Danish and English players, exemplified by Maurice Field's men's singles triumph for England in 1937 and Tage Madsen's win for Denmark in 1939, though Malaysian player Ong Hock Sim claimed the 1938 men's singles title. These years saw growing international interest, but the focus remained largely on European competitors.[1][10] The tournament faced a complete interruption from 1940 to 1945 due to World War II, as wartime restrictions, including hall requisitions by occupying forces, blackouts, and heating prohibitions in Denmark, made hosting impossible. It resumed in 1946, but post-war editions suffered from limited foreign participation, as many nations recovered from the conflict's devastation; Conny Jepsen of Sweden won the men's singles that year.[1][5] In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the event occurred more regularly, with annual tournaments from 1946 to 1953 and in 1955, featuring strong Danish performances such as Jørn Skaarup's men's singles wins in 1948 and 1952. However, organizational challenges led to sporadic events in the 1950s, including a gap in 1954, followed by a significant hiatus from 1956 to 1965, during which no editions were held.[10]Post-War Growth
Following the end of World War II, the Denmark Open badminton tournament resumed in 1946 after a hiatus caused by the conflict, though initial foreign participation remained limited as many countries focused on recovery efforts.[1] The event was held annually from 1946 to 1953 and in 1955, establishing a somewhat steady rhythm with primarily European competitors dominating the singles and doubles categories, reflecting the sport's strong regional base in Scandinavia, before a gap in 1954 and another interruption from 1956 to 1965.[1][10] Upon resumption in 1966, the Denmark Open saw a notable influx of international entries, particularly from Asia, aligning with badminton's expanding reach beyond Europe.[1] This period marked the introduction of stronger Asian competitors, building on earlier milestones such as Malaysian player Wong Peng Soon's men's singles victory in 1951, the first by a non-European.[10] In the 1960s and 1970s, players from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan increasingly participated, elevating the event's competitiveness; for instance, Indonesian legend Rudy Hartono secured men's singles titles in 1971, 1973, and 1975, showcasing Asia's rising prowess against Danish stalwarts.[11] These developments enhanced the tournament's prestige within European badminton circles, positioning it as a key bridge between continental and global talent.[1] The 1970s and 1980s witnessed significant growth in the doubles categories and women's events, with expanded international fields drawing more diverse pairings and fostering deeper competition.[10] Women's doubles, for example, saw its first non-European champions in 1975 with an Indonesian pair, while men's doubles featured Malaysian successes as early as 1951 but gained momentum post-1966 with broader Asian involvement.[10] This era's emphasis on team events and female participation reflected badminton's inclusive evolution, with steady annual editions—now centralized in Copenhagen's K.B. Hallen from 1967—solidifying the Denmark Open's reputation as Europe's premier open international meet through the late 20th century.[1]Modern Era and BWF Integration
The Denmark Open underwent a significant relocation in 2008, moving to Odense from previous venues in Copenhagen and other Danish cities, which helped stabilize the event as a premier international badminton tournament by providing a dedicated, spectator-friendly environment in Denmark's third-largest city.[12] This shift coincided with the tournament's entry into the BWF Super Series circuit, beginning that year as one of the elite annual events organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), offering a prize purse of USD 200,000 and drawing heightened global attention.[13] The Super Series status, which lasted through 2017, elevated the Denmark Open's profile by mandating participation from top-ranked players and integrating it into the BWF's professional calendar, fostering consistent high-level competition.[1] In 2018, the tournament transitioned seamlessly into the newly launched BWF World Tour as a Super 750 event, one of only six such high-stakes competitions annually, maintaining its prestige while aligning with the BWF's revamped structure that emphasized points allocation for world rankings and greater financial incentives.[14] This integration has amplified the event's professionalization, with prize money surging to USD 950,000 by 2025, enabling broader player participation and underscoring its role as a key stop for elite athletes seeking ranking points and substantial earnings.[2] Global broadcasting through BWF's official channels and partners has further boosted visibility, attracting top-tier attendance from stars across nations, including Danish favorites like Viktor Axelsen and international powerhouses, thus solidifying the Denmark Open's status in the professional badminton ecosystem.[15] The modern era has also seen adaptations to external challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the 2020 edition proceeded in Odense under stringent BWF health protocols, including limited crowds and testing requirements, marking one of the first major international returns to competition after a seven-month global hiatus.[16] Subsequent years, such as 2021, navigated ongoing disruptions by rescheduling within the compressed World Tour calendar, ensuring continuity despite widespread event cancellations elsewhere.[17] The 2025 edition, held from October 14 to 19 at Jyske Bank Arena in Odense, exemplified this resilience with its expanded USD 950,000 prize pool and full roster of Super 750 action, reinforcing the tournament's adaptability and enduring appeal in the BWF framework.[2]Venues
Historical Locations
The Denmark Open, established in 1936 as the International Championships of Denmark, was hosted exclusively in Copenhagen from its inaugural edition through 1985, with events held at various halls in the city.[1][10] In 1967, the finals shifted to K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen, a multi-purpose indoor arena that became the central venue for the tournament's conclusion for decades, while preliminary rounds initially occurred at other local sites before being consolidated there as well.[1] Starting in 1986, Badminton Denmark (BAD) decided to relocate the tournament to various cities across the country, aiming to broaden its reach and promote badminton regionally beyond the capital.[1] Aalborg hosted the first such event in 1986 and returned in 1992, followed by Esbjerg in 1987 and 1994, Højbjerg in 1989 and 1993, Aabenraa in 1990, Solrød in 1991, Middelfart in 1996, Vejle in 1998 and 1999, Farum from 2000 to 2002, Aarhus from 2003 to 2006, and Odense in 2007.[10][1] Over its first 71 years, the tournament utilized 11 distinct locations, all indoor arenas designed to accommodate the sport's requirements amid Denmark's often inclement weather, with venue selections influenced by available capacity and logistical accessibility for growing international participation.[10][1] In 2008, the event settled permanently in Odense for enhanced stability.[1]Current Venue and Hosting
The Denmark Open has been hosted in Odense since 2008, marking a shift to a dedicated hub for the tournament that enhances its status as a key event on the BWF World Tour.[12] In 2022, the event relocated within Odense to the larger Jyske Bank Arena (also known as Arena Fyn), which serves as the primary venue and offers improved facilities compared to the previous Odense Idrætshal.[18] This modern arena accommodates approximately 4,000 spectators for badminton matches, providing ample space for international broadcasts, player amenities, and fan engagement areas.[19] Its infrastructure supports high-level competitions through features like advanced lighting, multiple courts, and innovative technologies, including robotic systems for shuttlecock delivery and spectator services, ensuring efficient operations during the six-day event.[20] Sustainability is integrated into the hosting model, with the tournament partnering exclusively with environmentally certified hotels bearing labels such as the Nordic Swan Ecolabel to minimize ecological impact.[21] The Jyske Bank Arena, part of the Odense Congress Center complex, benefits from the city's broader green initiatives, including energy-efficient designs and proximity to sustainable transport options like the light rail system.[22] These elements align with Denmark's emphasis on eco-friendly event management, contributing to the tournament's appeal for global participants and audiences. Badminton Denmark organizes the event, overseeing logistics, player welfare, and community outreach as the national governing body.[3] Since 2023, Victor has served as the title sponsor under a four-year agreement extending through 2026, providing branding, equipment support, and financial backing that elevates the Super 750 tournament's profile.[23] For the 2025 edition, held from October 14 to 19 at Jyske Bank Arena.[2] The event generates significant local impact in Odense, boosting tourism, hospitality revenues, and community engagement through ancillary activities like street food markets and family programs, while reinforcing the city's reputation as a badminton hub.[22]Results
Past Champions
The Denmark Open badminton tournament, inaugurated in 1936, has produced a rich history of champions across its five categories, though it faced interruptions during World War II (1940–1945) and was not held from 1956 to 1964 due to post-war recovery and organizational challenges. Early editions were largely dominated by Danish and other European players, such as Poul Nielsen in men's singles (1936) and Tonny Olsen in women's singles (1936–1939 and 1946–1951). Records from the 1950s remain incomplete in some categories, particularly doubles, with gaps in documentation for sporadic editions amid limited international participation.[24] From the 1980s onward, a clear trend emerged toward Asian dominance, driven by the rise of powerhouse nations like China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan, which have claimed over 80% of titles in the modern era as badminton's center of excellence shifted eastward. This shift is evident in the increasing frequency of non-European winners, with Danish successes becoming rarer outside occasional breakthroughs by players like Anders Antonsen.[2][25] In the most recent edition in 2025, held in Odense, Indonesia's Jonatan Christie captured the men's singles title by defeating China's Shi Yuqi in the final, marking his first Denmark Open crown. South Korea's An Se-young won the women's singles, defeating China's Wang Zhiyi to achieve a historic sweep of all Super 750 events in the season. Japan's Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi took the men's doubles after a three-game thriller against Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohib Fikri, while South Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee clinched women's doubles in a comeback victory over compatriots Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong. China's Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defended their mixed doubles title, overpowering fellow Chinese pair Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin in straight games.[26][7] The tables below provide a chronological overview of champions, focusing on the modern era (2010–2025) for completeness across all categories, where data is most robust and reflective of current trends; earlier historical results follow similar patterns of regional shifts but with sparser doubles documentation.Men's Singles Champions (2010–2025)
| Year | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Jan Ø. Jørgensen | Denmark |
| 2011 | Chen Long | China |
| 2012 | Lee Chong Wei | Malaysia |
| 2013 | Chen Long | China |
| 2014 | Chen Long | China |
| 2015 | Chen Long | China |
| 2016 | Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk | Thailand |
| 2017 | Srikanth Kidambi | India |
| 2018 | Kento Momota | Japan |
| 2019 | Kento Momota | Japan |
| 2020 | Anders Antonsen | Denmark |
| 2021 | Viktor Axelsen | Denmark |
| 2022 | Shi Yuqi | China |
| 2023 | Weng Hong Yang | China |
| 2024 | Anders Antonsen | Denmark |
| 2025 | Jonatan Christie | Indonesia |
Women's Singles Champions (2010–2025)
| Year | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Wang Yihan | China |
| 2011 | Wang Xin | China |
| 2012 | Saina Nehwal | India |
| 2013 | Wang Yihan | China |
| 2014 | Li Xuerui | China |
| 2015 | Li Xuerui | China |
| 2016 | Akane Yamaguchi | Japan |
| 2017 | Ratchanok Intanon | Thailand |
| 2018 | Tai Tzu-ying | Chinese Taipei |
| 2019 | Tai Tzu-ying | Chinese Taipei |
| 2020 | Nozomi Okuhara | Japan |
| 2021 | Akane Yamaguchi | Japan |
| 2022 | He Bingjiao | China |
| 2023 | Chen Yufei | China |
| 2024 | Wang Zhiyi | China |
| 2025 | An Se-young | South Korea |
Recent Champions in Doubles Categories (2010–2025)
Doubles categories mirror the singles trend, with Asian pairs dominating since the 1990s; early historical examples include Danish pairs like Aksel Hansen/Svenn Strømann (men's doubles, 1936) and Tonny Olsen/Bodil Riise (women's doubles, 1936). Below is a summary table for 2010–2025, highlighting key repeat winners like China's Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan (women's doubles, multiple titles).| Year | Men's Doubles | Country | Women's Doubles | Country | Mixed Doubles | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen | Denmark | Miyuki Maeda/Satoko Suetsuna | Japan | Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei | China |
| 2011 | Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng | China | Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang | China | Zhang Nan/Tang Jinhui | China |
| 2012 | Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng | China | Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang | China | Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei | China |
| 2013 | Liu Xiaolong/Qiu Zihan | China | Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl | Denmark | Xu Chen/Ma Jin | China |
| 2014 | Zhang Nan/Fu Haifeng | China | Luo Yu/Zhong Qianxin | China | Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei | China |
| 2015 | Liu Cheng/Lu Kai | China | Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei | China | Zheng Siwei/Chen Qingchen | China |
| 2016 | Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen | China | Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl | Denmark | Praveen Jordan/Debora Jille | Indonesia/Netherlands |
| 2017 | Liu Cheng/Zhang Junhui | China | Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen | Denmark | Praveen Jordan/Debora Jille | Indonesia/Netherlands |
| 2018 | Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen | China | Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara | Japan | Zheng Siwei/Chen Qingchen | China |
| 2019 | He Jiting/Tan Qiang | China | Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara | Japan | Zheng Siwei/Chen Qingchen | China |
| 2020 | Kamillus Fjaelling/David Daugaard | Denmark | Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva | Bulgaria | Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue | France |
| 2021 | Lee Yang/Wang Chi-lin | Chinese Taipei | Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu | Indonesia | Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai | Thailand |
| 2022 | Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi | Japan | Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan | China | Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong | China |
| 2023 | Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik | Malaysia | Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan | China | Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping | China |
| 2024 | Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang | China | Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi | Japan | Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping | China |
| 2025 | Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi | Japan | Baek Ha-na/Lee So-hee | South Korea | Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping | China |
Performances by Nation
Denmark has historically dominated the Denmark Open, leveraging its deep-rooted badminton culture to secure the majority of titles since the tournament's inception in 1936. As of the 2025 edition, Danish athletes have claimed 139 titles across all five categories, underscoring their unparalleled success in a competition held on home soil. This lead is attributed to consistent performances in singles and mixed doubles, where Denmark has excelled due to strong domestic training programs and early international exposure.[1] Other nations have made significant inroads, particularly from Asia, reflecting the global shift in badminton power. China ranks second with 75 titles, demonstrating strength in women's singles and doubles categories through systematic development of talent since the late 20th century. Indonesia, England, and Japan follow as notable contributors, with Indonesia prominent in men's doubles and England in early editions. Gaps in data for pre-1950s events exist due to incomplete records from wartime interruptions and varying documentation standards, potentially underrepresenting early European achievements.[2] The table below summarizes total titles by nation as of 2025, with breakdowns by category (MS: Men's Singles, WS: Women's Singles, MD: Men's Doubles, WD: Women's Doubles, XD: Mixed Doubles). Half-points in doubles reflect shared national representation in mixed pairs where applicable.| Pos | Nation | MS | WS | MD | WD | XD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denmark | 36 | 26 | 21.5 | 18.5 | 37 | 139 |
| 2 | China | 13 | 23 | 9 | 18 | 12 | 75 |
| 3 | Indonesia | 12 | 5 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 50 |
| 4 | England | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 36 |
| 5 | Japan | 4 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 29 |