The 2026 India Open is facing renewed scrutiny over its location in Delhi, as world number three badminton player Anders Antonsen withdrew from the tournament, citing "extreme pollution". This marks Antonsen's third consecutive withdrawal from the event due to concerns over Delhi's air quality. His decision has amplified calls to relocate the prestigious tournament from the Indian capital.
Antonsen took to social media to express his concerns, posting a screenshot of Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI), which showed a reading of 348, categorized as "hazardous". "Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment, I don't think it's a place to host a badminton tournament," he wrote on Instagram. He also revealed that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) had fined him $5,000 for withdrawing from the mandatory Super 750 event. BWF regulations require top players to participate in Super 750 events, but Antonsen chose his health over the rankings.
Antonsen isn't the only one to voice concerns. Mia Blichfeldt, another Danish player, described the conditions in New Delhi as "unhealthy". She noted the presence of birds inside the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and generally dirty conditions. "I had hoped it would be better than the other hall, but it is still very dirty, really unhealthy conditions for all players," Blichfeldt said.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has downplayed the criticism, with General Secretary Sanjay Mishra rejecting the allegations and defending the arrangements at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Mishra stated that the India Open is being used as a test event for the BWF World Championships 2026, which are scheduled to be held at the same venue in August. The BAI also refuted claims about unhygienic conditions.
Delhi's air pollution typically worsens during the winter months, with vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction, and smoke from agricultural fires contributing to the problem. The city is often blanketed in a thick smog, which doctors have described as dangerous. In the past, authorities have implemented measures such as closing schools, halting construction, and restricting private vehicles to combat pollution.
The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium is hosting the India Open after the BAI moved the tournament from the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium. The shift was made with the World Championships in mind. The controversy surrounding the conditions in Delhi raises questions about the suitability of the city as a venue for major international sporting events, particularly during the winter.
Despite the criticism and withdrawals, the India Open is proceeding with a prize pool of $950,000. However, the concerns raised by players like Antonsen and Blichfeldt are likely to continue the debate about relocating the tournament to a city with better air quality.
