The Badminton Super Series

 The Badminton Super Series is a group of tournaments organized by the BWF, with the goal of improving the sport.  It was first introduced in 2006, and implemented in 2007.  The second-tiered badminton tournaments are held in twelve countries throughout the year, with the best players invited to the year end tournament final.  At all Super series tournaments the total prize money awarded is  $200,000 US.  Beginning in the 2008 season the women's singles winner will receive an equal prize amount to the men's singles winner.  The year end tournament awards a BWF high of the astounding amount of $500,000. Also in 2007 a new World Ranking was initiated based on the results or round a player reaches.  These Super Series points are then used to calculate the players who qualify for the Super Series final.  

The points are divided as follows:  
 

    In previous tournaments 64 players/teams have been allowed to compete, however since 2008 Super Series only 16 players/teams will take part in the main round.   Each Super Series tournament takes place over a total of six days,  with the main round in five days.  Qualification round players have to play four rounds before making it to the main round.  Also in 2008 each tournament must have eight international certificated and accredited umpires, as opposed to the former local officials, which caused some criticism.  In 2007 it was also introduced that players competing from the same nation will not be separated in the main draw of the tournaments.   Only the top two seed will be divided into the two draws as previously done.

 
Countries that hold Super Series Tournaments

    On the Asian Tour stops include the: China Masters,  China Open, Hong Kong,  Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore.  On the European tour there is the:All England, Denmark, French and Swiss tournaments.  While India will host it's first tournament in 2011.

    Sadly the 2007 Masters final tournament was canceled due to the lack of sponsorship, but the 2008 tournament was held in  Malaysia in December.  The men's winner was Lee Chong Wei, the women's winner was Zhou Mi, men's doubles champs were Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong, women's doubles champs were Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui, and the mixed doubles title went to Thomas Layburn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of Denmark.  The Super Series has garnered the professional badminton tour with some international acclaim and attention.  Matches is Asian countries can draw up to 15,000 spectators, and when the sport was introduced at the Olympics more then 1.1 billion people took in the eight day event on television. These tournaments are where fans are able to see the best of the best, go head to head for personal pride, national pride and the thrill of competition.  Each player/team wants to earn a spot in the year end tournament, so gaining as many points as you can at each BWF Super Series tournament is a must.  

The 2009 Badminton Super Series Schedule:
 

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