Navi Mumbai: Badminton in Maharashtra is set to enter a new phase with the launch of the Phoenix Badminton Super League-2026 (BSL), a franchise-based league that organisers said is the first of its kind in the state. The Owners Meet and Greet, held recently, brought together franchise holders and key stakeholders ahead of the tournament, which is scheduled for May 9 and 10 at the Navi Mumbai Sports Association (NMSA), Vashi. The Players’ auction completed drawing attention as franchises built squads from a pool of players from across Maharashtra.The league is being conducted under the aegis of the Maharashtra Badminton Association and is backed by corporates, a format organisers said has not been seen before in state-level badminton. The tournament is set to feature a prize pool of Rs 10 lakh, described as the highest prize money offered for a badminton tournament of this scale in Maharashtra. Team owners include real estate firms Metro Group, Satyam Developers and Priyanka Regency, along with stationery company DOMS. Defence sector companies Krasny Defence and NDT Technologies also invested in teams. Phoenix Infracon Solutions, described as one of India’s largest crane rental organisations, is the title sponsor, said organiser and former champion shuttler Shrishail Mitkari.The organisers said the first edition of the Badminton Super League, held at NMSA last year, emerged as one of Maharashtra’s most noteworthy franchise-format badminton leagues, which brought together 80 elite players across 10 franchise teams, and recorded engagement of over 500 on-ground spectators and more than 10,000 online viewers.
