Continuous Play in Badminton: BWF to Test Time Clock System

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council, at its meeting on August 29, 2025, approved regulations for comprehensive testing of the time clock at select BWF World Tour tournaments. Under the system, players will have 25 seconds between rallies. The regulations will come into effect from Week 47 (18–23 November 2025).

Currently, Clause 16.4 of the Laws of Badminton allows umpires to address delays in play, but this is subjective. The time clock is intended to make this an objective task.

BWF noted that data from hundreds of Major Championships and World Tour matches showed that when 80% of the time between rallies had no incidents, the average gap was 22 seconds (median 19), compared with an average rally length of nine seconds (median six). Hence, it believes 25 seconds is the appropriate period to balance sufficient rest for players and overall continuous play.

Changes have been made to instructions to technical officials (Section 4.1.1) and vocabulary (Section 4.1.5). The clock will start when the umpire records the score from the previous rally. The server must be ready to serve before the clock runs out, and the receiver must be ready once the server is in position.

Players are allowed to administer cold spray and undertake other activities without the umpire’s permission. For tournaments where the time clock is not being tested, players can administer cold spray to themselves with the permission of the umpire.

Umpires may pause the clock when needed, such as for court mopping, disputes, or injuries.

BWF is also inviting stakeholder feedback on the time clock principles, including the 25-second interval between rallies.