What happens if a para badminton class has few players?
A · Advanced · Court and competition · 3 of 3A draw needs four or more entries from at least two countries. If not, classes are combined using the BWF chart, men and women too except at Level 1, and the event is titled with both classes, such as WS WH1 + WH2. Players from the more impaired class still get prizes as if uncombined. Events run as groups then knockout.
How it works
- Minimum: four entries, two countries.
- Format: groups, then a knockout.
- Few entries: a single group.
- Combining: by the combinations chart.
- Men and women: combined except at Level 1.
- Title: both classes, or S or D.
- More impaired class: prizes as if uncombined.
- No combination works: an unofficial event, no ranking points.
The glossary has the combined events, the draw format (para badminton), the less impaired class, the moving down to own class, the referee and technical delegate and the para badminton general competition regulations.
Tricky cases
A doubles pair has players from two countries. How does it count?
As two countries.
Can a combined event have two winners?
Yes: the overall winner and the best player of the more impaired class.
Are ranking points given in an unofficial event?
No.
With four or five entries, is there a knockout?
No. A group only.
Why the rule exists
Combining classes gives players matches when a class is small. Separate prizes stop the more impaired players losing out.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Four or more entries | Own draw | G 12.1.4 |
| Fewer | Classes combined | G 12.1.5 |
| Level 1 | No men and women combining | G 12.1.6 |
From the rule book
BWF, Para Badminton General Competition Regulations, version 7.0 (8 November 2025), Regulations 12.1 and 12.2.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: BWF Statutes, Sections 4.1 and 5.5.