Indonesia Masters 2026 – Who are playing

World-Class Badminton Stars Converge on Indonesia for the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2026 at Istora Senayan

Indonesia Masters 2026, or the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2026, has firmly taken centre stage in the global badminton calendar as the Super 500 tournament gets underway from 20 to 25 January at the iconic Istora Senayan in Jakarta — a venue widely regarded as the spiritual home of Indonesian badminton.

After the Malaysia and India Open 2026, badminton aces are gathering in Indonesia for new challenges.

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Indonesia Masters 2026 – Prizes details

With a total prize purse of USD 500,000, the Indonesia Masters once again underlines its status as one of the most significant early-season stops on the HSBC BWF World Tour, serving as a crucial benchmark for form, ambition and squad depth among the world’s leading shuttlers.

The tournament arrives at the tail end of a demanding early-season schedule, following closely on the heels of the Malaysia Open and India Open, turning Jakarta into a genuine test of both physical resilience and competitive nerve.

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Istora Senayan – Where History and Pressure Go Hand in Hand

Few venues in world badminton carry the weight of history quite like Istora Senayan. The deafening drums, relentless chants and emotionally charged atmosphere create a cauldron that can either elevate careers or expose nerves.

For visiting players, Istora represents one of the toughest environments on tour. For others, it has been the proving ground where reputations were forged and careers catapulted into the elite tier of world badminton.

Indonesia Masters 2026, therefore, is not just another Super 500 event — it is a mental and physical trial by fire.

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Men’s Singles: A Galaxy of Stars and Former Champions

The men’s singles draw features 38 players in the main draw, packed with former champions, top seeds and emerging contenders.

At the forefront is Anders Antonsen, champion in 2019 and 2024, who has consistently thrived at Istora with his disciplined, high-tempo style and exceptional match endurance. Seeded second, the Dane enters Jakarta widely tipped to contend deep into the tournament.

Top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the 2025 champion, remains a reference point for the field despite being marked as withdrawn. At the peak of his career, the Thai star’s defensive solidity and tactical maturity have made him one of the most complete players on tour.

Local hopes rest heavily on Jonatan Christie, champion in 2023 and Indonesia’s leading standard-bearer. Istora has long been Christie’s emotional stronghold, providing a unique lift — though with pressure that few players in the world experience.

The field is further strengthened by elite names such as Chou Tien Chen, Lee Zii Jia, Kodai Naraoka, Loh Kean Yew, Lakshya Sen, and Rasmus Gemke. The inclusion of Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, champion in 2018 and 2020, adds another layer of unpredictability, even as he enters via qualifying or protected ranking.

Men’s Singles Entry List – Indonesia Masters 2026 (Selected Highlights

Category	Player	Country	World Rank	Notes
Seed 1	Kunlavut Vitidsarn	Thailand	3	Champion 2025
Seed 2	Anders Antonsen	Denmark	2	Champion 2019, 2024
Seed 3	Jonatan Christie	Indonesia	4	Champion 2023
Seed 4	Chou Tien Chen	Chinese Taipei	6	Consistent World Tour finalist
Former Champion	Anthony S. Ginting	Indonesia	58	Champion 2018, 2020
Former Champion	Prannoy H. S.	India	36	Champion 2014
Contender	Lee Zii Jia	Malaysia	9	Rank Protected
Contender	Loh Kean Yew	Singapore	10	Former World Champion

Indonesia’s Depth and Home Ambition

Indonesia once again showcases remarkable squad depth, with representatives spanning the main draw, qualifying rounds and reserve lists.

Beyond Christie and Ginting, names such as Alwi Farhan, Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah, Christian Adinata, Bismo Raya Oktora and Dendi Triansyah all carry aspirations of making their mark on home soil.

While not all are considered title contenders, Indonesia’s historic fighting spirit at Istora means that any of them could emerge as a dangerous dark horse.

However, Indonesia will also be wary of recent cautionary tales, following winless home campaigns by Malaysia and India earlier this year.

Notable Withdrawals

The tournament has also seen several high-profile withdrawals, most notably Viktor Axelsen, the 2022 champion. His absence significantly opens up the draw, offering a more balanced title race.

Other withdrawals include Kenta Nishimoto, Lee Cheuk Yiu, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, and Victor Lai — names that would otherwise have added further depth to an already stacked field.

More Than Prize Money

While the USD 500,000 prize fund is substantial, Indonesia Masters 2026 carries equal — if not greater — importance in ranking points, seeding implications and seasonal momentum.

For many players, Jakarta represents a defining checkpoint: an opportunity to assess physical readiness, tactical evolution and mental sharpness in the crucible of one of badminton’s most unforgiving arenas.

Indonesia Masters 2026 – An Early-Season Measure of Nerv

As the global badminton landscape continues its generational transition, the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2026 stands as far more than a Super 500 tournament.

It is where former champions attempt to reassert their authority, emerging stars chase career-defining breakthroughs, and national programmes measure their ambitions for the season ahead.

Once again, Istora Senayan is ready to bear witness to elite clashes, emotional eruptions and unforgiving tests of character — where only the strongest will endure and advance on the road to badminton supremacy.