Guwahati will soon also benefit from the news that the 2028 India Open will be played in the capital of Assam. The tournament, one of India’s most prestigious badminton events on the international calendar, will temporarily relocate to Delhi by 2029.
Assam already has an excellent sporting landscape and as a result the decision is very important to Assam. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been very active in the promotion of Guwahati as an international sports town and the India Open will further put the city on the map of athletes worldwide.
As BAI secretary general Sanjay Mishra said, the 2028 tournament will be moved to Guwahati as the India Open will be held toward the end of January, during which time New Delhi will stage the Republic Day and other security measures. The 2027 and 2029 editions will be held in Delhi.
While the relocation is based on logistics and security concerns, it has a far more significant impact on Assam. The invitation to host such an India Open tournament would allow Guwahati to showcase its sport facilities, organisational strength and expanding badminton culture to the global audience.
As Assam has been investing in sports infrastructure, this development is of particular importance. A National Centre of Excellence for Badminton has been established in Guwahati and has been an integral part of the state’s mission to develop the city into a centre for the sport. A large international tournament might offer local players an opportunity to see some of the world’s top badminton players on home soil.
The event could also offer Assam’s own badminton talent a platform to shine. And given the India Open coming to Guwahati this year there will be an eye on the state’s developing players and how the local stars will be able to shine in one of the country’s biggest badminton tournaments. To see two home-grown players at the event would also add more excitement for local fans.
In Assam the tournament might even be very inspirational for young badminton players. Watching top international athletes compete in their hometown would trigger more interest in the sport and motivate players to pursue competitive badminton. Major sporting events can also expose a lot of people to professional training processes, sports management and the high standards required for the best.
The India Open itself has a long-standing reputation as a major event on the international badminton circuit. It draws world-class players and Indian athletes who can play in front of home fans. Bringing the tournament to Guwahati could expose a new generation of fans in the Northeast to the very best in the world of international badminton.
In this sense, the decision is also consistent with the wider move to broaden the geographic reach of major sporting events in India. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other larger cities have always hosted big events but cities in the Northeast are increasingly looking for places to hold big national and international events. Guwahati, being connected and sporting infrastructure developing well, is well situated to benefit from this trend.
If the Assam government is to welcome the India Open, it will be an even bigger addition to the Guwahati sports calendar. The city has hosted major sporting events in the past and a tournament featuring some of the world's best badminton players would only help to cement its reputation as a place where international events can be held.
The tournament could also have economic advantages. Large sporting events usually draw athletes, officials, coaches, media professionals and spectators, which brings hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other local businesses into action. The international exposure generated by the tournament could also enhance Guwahati’s profile beyond the sporting arena.
The possibility of local players getting involved will be another big talking point at the beginning of preparation. Assam has produced athletes in various sports and badminton is gradually drawing young talent from all over the state. A big home tournament might also give them the motivation to compete at the top.
But to fans, the biggest attraction will be the opportunity to see international badminton stars in Guwahati. The India Open will bring the city’s arrival as the city will probably become a major badminton hub for the tournament, with packed stands and increased interest in the sport expected.
With 2028 being confirmed for Guwahati, preparations will now be closely watched. Assam gets to host a prestigious tournament and then show that it can host international sports competitions too.
The India Open’s one-year move to Guwahati is so much more than a venue move. It is an opportunity for Assam to show the world of its sporting potential, encourage local athletes and bring world-class badminton to fans in the Northeast. If the event goes well, it will only strengthen Guwahati’s case for hosting more major international competitions in the future.
