The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has approved new regulations to test a time-clock system aimed at ensuring continuous play in tournaments starting next year.
The new rule, confirmed during the BWF council meeting on August 29, will first be trialed from November 18–23 during Week 27 of the 2025 season.
Under the system, players will be allowed 25 seconds between rallies. The countdown begins once the umpire updates the score, with the server required to be ready before the clock runs out and the receiver prepared as soon as the server is in position.
Umpires will still have the authority to extend the time in special circumstances, such as medical issues or court maintenance. Players may towel off, drink, or apply cold spray, provided they are ready within the 25 seconds.
The initiative comes after data revealed that average intervals between rallies reached 22 seconds, compared to just nine seconds of actual play. BWF believes the rule will strike a fair balance between rest time and maintaining the match flow.
Preliminary tests on time-clock positioning for player and official visibility have already been conducted, with more trials to follow. BWF has also invited member associations to conduct internal testing and provide feedback via an online survey closing on September 19.
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