International badminton is turning a historic page. After two decades under the reign of the "3x21," the world circuit is moving to a 3x15 format. This change is not just a simple scoring detail; it is a profound transformation of strategy and physical effort.

The new rules in brief

The format remains a best-of-three sets match, but the numbers are changing:

• Set end at 15: The first player to 15 points wins the set.

• Extension: At 14-14, a 2-point lead is required to win.

• The cap: If the score reaches 20-20, the next point is decisive (the set ends at 21 instead of 30).

• The break: The mid-set interval will now take place at 8 points (instead of 11).

Why this radical change?

The World Federation (BWF) puts forward three major arguments to justify this move to 15 points:

• The dictatorship of Television: Badminton matches had become too long and unpredictable for program schedules. The 3x15 format guarantees more stable match durations for broadcasters.

• Immediate intensity: At 21 points, players could afford an "observation period." At 15 points, every shuttlecock becomes crucial from the very first second.

• Athlete health: With an increasingly busy calendar, reducing the number of points per match is seen as a solution to limit fatigue-related injuries.

Sharply divided opinions

The global community is divided:

• Supporters (often broadcasters and offensive players) see an opportunity to make the sport more fast-paced and spectacular. It is also a chance for older players to remain competitive.

• Critics fear that badminton will lose its "marathon" aspect. The sport is shifting from a test of mental and physical endurance to a pure exercise in explosiveness. Players who win by wearing down their opponents will have to reinvent themselves.

Expert opinion: A challenge for 2027

This change will undoubtedly favor very powerful and aggressive players at the expense of pure defenders. Training will have to pivot: less long cardio, more reactivity, and management of intense stress over short sequences.

The countdown has begun. Athletes have less than a year to adapt their lungs and their brains to this new format.