Fullerton: The 2026 US Open badminton tournament is set to bring a strong international field to California State University Fullerton from June 23 to 28, with Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen and Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia among the biggest names in the men’s singles draw.
Officially known as the Yonex US Open 2026 for sponsorship reasons, the tournament carries a total prize purse of US$250,000 and will feature players from Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.
One of the biggest talking points in this year’s draw is the absence of Chinese players across all five events. China also skipped the tournament in 2025, meaning the US Open will be played for a second straight year without any Chinese representatives. That has opened the door for a wider group of contenders and changed the competitive balance of the tournament.
Chou Tien Chen and Lee Zii Jia Headline Men’s Singles
In men’s singles, top seed Chou Tien Chen enters as one of the leading title favorites. The experienced Chinese Taipei player will open his campaign against teammate Wang Yu-Kai in the first round.
Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia is also expected to draw major attention. The former All England champion will begin his main draw campaign against Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dang, a first-round match that could set the tone for his week in Fullerton.
With no Chinese men’s singles players in the draw, Chou and Lee appear to be two of the strongest contenders for the title. However, the field is far from predictable.
Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dang, Japan’s Yudai Okimoto and Shogo Ogawa, India’s Kidambi Srikanth, and Canada’s Brian Yang all bring enough quality to disrupt the bracket. For Lee Zii Jia, the US Open also offers another chance to rebuild confidence and rhythm after an uneven stretch on the BWF World Tour.
Women’s Singles Field Looks Wide Open
The women’s singles draw appears more balanced, with no clear dominant favorite heading into the tournament.
Canada’s Michelle Li and United States player Beiwen Zhang are among the leading names, while Denmark’s Line Christophersen, Japan’s Riko Gunji, and India’s Tanvi Sharma add further depth to the field.
With several players capable of making deep runs, the women’s singles event could become one of the most unpredictable categories at the US Open. Home support may also play a role for Beiwen Zhang, who will be looking to take advantage of familiar conditions in the United States.
England Pair Leads Men’s Doubles Contenders
In men’s doubles, England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy stand out as one of the strongest pairs in the draw. Their experience and consistency at World Tour level make them serious title contenders in Fullerton.
The cross-country partnership of Malaysia’s Mohd Razif Abdul Latif and Indonesia’s Teges Satriaji Cahyo Hutomo will also be worth watching, while the United States pair Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith enter as the No. 2 seeds and carry strong home interest.
With several pairings close in level, men’s doubles could produce some of the most competitive matches of the tournament.
Women’s Doubles Features Strong Asian and Home Challenge
Women’s doubles also has a strong mix of Asian and North American contenders.
Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih-Yun are among the top pairs to watch, while Japan will be represented by Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe, as well as Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita.
The United States pair Lauren Lam and Allison Lee will carry home hopes in the event. If they can handle the pressure of playing on home soil, they have the ability to challenge for a place deep in the tournament.
Mixed Doubles Could Produce Tight Semifinal Race
In mixed doubles, the top four seeded pairs all look capable of reaching the semifinals.
The United States pair Presley Smith and Jennie Gai will be one of the main home attractions, while England’s Callum Hemming and Estelle van Leeuwen bring European strength to the draw.
France’s Julien Maio and Léa Palermo, along with Japan’s Akira Koga and Natsu Saito, are also expected to be in the title conversation. If the seeds hold, the mixed doubles semifinals could feature a strong balance of teams from North America, Europe, and Asia.
US Open Draw Creates Fresh Badminton Storylines
The 2026 US Open has a very different feel without China in the draw, giving players from Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Japan, India, Canada, the United States, England, France, and other badminton nations a clearer path to challenge for titles.
Much of the early badminton news attention will fall on Chou Tien Chen and Lee Zii Jia in men’s singles. Both have the experience and quality to win the tournament, but both will need to manage a draw filled with dangerous opponents.
With a US$250,000 prize purse, strong international participation, and home players involved in several events, the US Open is set to deliver a competitive week of badminton in Fullerton.
