Badminton fans will be able to enjoy the best of the action at this year’s Scottish Open Badminton Championships live on the BBC.
Building on the success of last year’s partnership, coverage will once again be available to watch on the BBC Sport website, app and connected TVs, with all five semi-finals played on court 1 on Saturday, November 24, to be shown in one continuous session from midday.
The following day’s five finals will be shown in two sessions, with two matches played from 11am and the remaining three finals starting at 2 PM (local time).
The partnership provides a fantastic opportunity in showcasing top-level sport – something that the BBC have become famed for, broadcasting a wide array of the world’s greatest sporting events.
And the network has a special connection with badminton, having shown both last year’s Scottish Open and the World Championships, also held at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Keith Russell, Chief Executive of Badminton Scotland, was delighted to announce the continuation of the partnership, recognising the opportunities it affords in promoting badminton across the country.
"This is fantastic news for badminton fans", he said. "The opportunity to renew our partnership with the BBC is an especially exciting one and we are delighted to have them on board again".
"It is vital that events such as the Scottish Open are used to help create a legacy for the sport and our continued partnership with the BBC helps us to achieve that legacy."
"To have the tournament streamed to so many people not only allows the nation to watch on as some of the world’s best players do battle, but it will also help to showcase badminton to new fans and attract new people to the sport."
Councillor David McDonald, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, said: "This partnership with the BBC presents a brilliant opportunity for badminton fans across the country who are unable to travel to Glasgow for the event. Last year was very successful in making the Scottish Open more accessible for more people, and we’re very happy to see that continued for a second year".
"Nothing will beat the atmosphere of being there live in the arena, but being able to keep an eye on the action no matter where you are certainly comes a close second!"
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: "I am delighted that BBC is continuing its partnership with Badminton Scotland to show the action from the Scottish Open Championships across its channels for a second consecutive year".
"The continued partnerships between our national broadcaster and the Scottish Open is testament to the hard work of the team at Badminton Scotland in organising an outstanding tournament that not only attracts the world’s leading players but showcases Scotland as a world leading events destination."
Coverage of the 2017 tournament gave fans the chance to witness a plethora of scintillating match-ups, including Toby Penty’s dramatic semi-final triumph on the way to victory in the Men’s Singles.
Viewers were also able to watch home favourite, Kirsty Gilmour’s famous win in the women’s singles as she became the first Scottish woman to win the event since 2009.
As well as watching Gilmour’s attempt to defend her title, this year’s coverage will feature another field packed with world-class talent at the third oldest championships in the sport.
In-form Chinese stars Cai Yanyan and Chen Xiaoxin, plus Denmark’s Line Kjaersfeldt, will all be looking to wrestle the crown away from Gilmour in the Women’s Singles.
Meanwhile Commonwealth Games gold medallists, Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge, of England, will do battle in the men’s doubles and the women’s doubles draw features the gold, silver and bronze medallists from this year’s European Championships, including number one seeds Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva.
Coverage will be on the BBC Sport website, app and connected TVs.
Tickets are on sale. Buy them here
The Scottish Open Badminton Championships are being staged at the Emirates Arena by Badminton Scotland with support from Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
For more information contact Peter Dean on 0141 445 1218 or email peter@badmintonscotland.org.uk