The Sudirman Cup is badminton’s most prestigious mixed-team championship, contested biennially by the world’s elite badminton teams featuring men and women competing together.
Established in 1989, the Sudirman Cup has crowned 19 champions across nations competing for the trophy named after Dick Sudirman, a former Indonesian badminton player and IBF administrator.
The competition features the strongest badminton players globally, representing their countries in a unique format combining men’s and women’s singles and doubles matches.
This guide covers the complete Sudirman Cup winners list from 1989 through 2025, including dominant nations, multiple champions, and the evolution of mixed-team badminton at the highest international level.
Sudirman Cup Champions: Year-by-Year Championship History
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Venue | Score |
| 2025 | China | South Korea | Xiamen, China | 3-1 |
| 2023 | China | Indonesia | Suzhou, China | 3-2 |
| 2021 | Indonesia | China | Vantaa, Finland | 3-1 |
| 2019 | China | Indonesia | Guangzhou, China | 3-1 |
| 2017 | China | Indonesia | Alor Setar, Malaysia | 3-1 |
| 2015 | China | Japan | Dongguan, China | 3-0 |
| 2013 | China | Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 3-2 |
| 2011 | Indonesia | Malaysia | New Delhi, India | 3-2 |
| 2010 | Malaysia | Indonesia | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 3-2 |
| 2008 | Indonesia | Malaysia | Jakarta, Indonesia | 3-2 |
| 2007 | China | Malaysia | Ipoh, Malaysia | 3-2 |
| 2005 | Indonesia | China | Beijing, China | 3-2 |
| 2003 | China | Indonesia | Madrid, Spain | 3-2 |
| 2001 | Indonesia | Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 3-2 |
| 1997 | China | Indonesia | Jakarta, Indonesia | 3-2 |
| 1995 | Indonesia | China | Lausanne, Switzerland | 3-2 |
| 1994 | Indonesia | China | Jakarta, Indonesia | 3-2 |
| 1991 | South Korea | Indonesia | Copenhagen, Denmark | 3-2 |
| 1989 | Indonesia | China | Jakarta, Indonesia | 3-2 |
Nations with Most Sudirman Cup Victories
China holds the all-time record for most Sudirman Cup titles with 14 victories. The country has dominated mixed-team badminton throughout the tournament’s history, establishing China as a powerhouse in badminton’s most inclusive international team format.
Indonesia won the inaugural championship in 1989 and claimed 7 total titles, while South Korea emerged with 4 Sudirman Cup championships.
Malaysia secured 2 titles, demonstrating their presence as a significant force in mixed-team badminton competition. The distribution reflects how regional dominance has shifted between Asian nations over three decades of competition.
Indonesia and China have traded championships throughout Sudirman Cup history, with one nation gaining advantage during specific eras.
China’s peak occurred during the 2000s and 2010s when the country won consecutive championships, claiming 10 of 14 titles across this dominant period.
These patterns demonstrate how individual nations have controlled mixed-team badminton throughout different periods of international sport.
Sudirman Cup Champions by Nation
- China: 14 titles
- Indonesia: 1 title (plus 6 finals)
- South Korea: 4 titles
- Malaysia: 2 titles
Recent Sudirman Cup Champions: Latest Winners and Performances
China won the 2025 Sudirman Cup by defeating South Korea 3-1 in the final held in Xiamen, China.
The victory marks China’s record 14th Sudirman Cup championship and their fourth consecutive title, establishing the nation as badminton’s leading mixed-team competitor in contemporary competition.
China also claimed the 2023 Sudirman Cup championship with a 3-2 victory against Indonesia in Suzhou, China.
Consecutive strong performances in 2023 and 2025 demonstrate China’s sustained dominance in mixed-team badminton competition at the highest international level.
The 2021 Sudirman Cup saw Indonesia defeat China 3-1 in Vantaa, Finland. Indonesia’s victory margin demonstrated strength throughout the competition, controlling crucial mixed-doubles matches against their traditional rival.
Indonesia’s recent titles position the nation as a challenger to China’s contemporary dominance in mixed-team badminton championships.
Match Format and Scoring in Sudirman Cup Competition
The Sudirman Cup consists of five matches in a mixed-team format featuring men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Total points determine the championship, with the first team to win 3 matches claiming the prestigious title.
This unique five-match format ensures comprehensive team competition combining men’s and women’s players equally. Each nation selects its finest badminton players to represent their country in singles and doubles competitions.
According to comprehensive analysis of badminton competition structures, the mixed-team format creates unique tactical challenges where team coordination becomes crucial for championship success.
Legendary Players Who Shaped Sudirman Cup History
Lin Dan won multiple Sudirman Cup titles for China, helping his country achieve five championships during the 2000s and 2010s.
Lin Dan established himself as badminton’s greatest singles player, with his performances elevating China’s competitiveness throughout that period of competition.
His contributions to team badminton demonstrated how individual excellence translates into collective success at the highest levels.
Indonesia’s Susi Susanti and Rudy Hartono became legends through their dominant performances and championship victories throughout their accomplished careers representing their country in the inaugural Sudirman Cup era.
Lee Chong Wei and other elite players competed in mixed-team badminton, demonstrating that individual brilliance required strong team support to achieve Sudirman Cup victory.
China’s Modern Dominance: Fourteen Titles Across Decades
China has won 14 Sudirman Cup championships throughout the tournament’s 36-year history, demonstrating sustained excellence in mixed-team badminton.
The nation’s systematic approach to developing badminton talent produced consistent championship contenders across generations.
China’s first Sudirman Cup victory came in 1997, followed by victories in 2003, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2025.
This pattern shows China’s increasing dominance throughout the 2000s and 2010s when the country claimed consecutive titles.
China’s investment in women’s badminton particularly strengthened the nation’s mixed-team capabilities through elite female players competing alongside world-class male shuttlers.
Asian Dominance in Mixed-Team Badminton Championships
Badminton originated in Asia and remains culturally central across the continent in sporting traditions.
Indonesia, China, Malaysia, and other Asian nations invested heavily in badminton infrastructure, training facilities, and professional development systems generating competitive advantages.
Asian countries produced generations of elite badminton players through systematic training approaches and youth development programs.
The culture of badminton in Asia generated competitive advantages unavailable in European or other international competitors.
This continental advantage explains why Asian nations have claimed every Sudirman Cup championship since 1989 without exception in badminton’s most prestigious mixed-team event.
Tournament Venues and Participation Growth Over Decades
Early Sudirman Cup competitions featured limited nations competing primarily in Asia and Europe. Venues alternated between Jakarta, Switzerland, Madrid, and various Asian cities during the tournament’s early decades reflecting badminton’s expansion and growth.
Modern Sudirman Cup events expanded to include more nations and diverse venues worldwide. The 2003 championship held in Madrid, Spain represented growing European interest in badminton’s most inclusive team format.
The 2015 and 2019 championships in China showed the nation’s role in hosting major badminton events.
Participation growth reflects increasing global competitiveness in mixed-team badminton at the international level as the sport expanded beyond its traditional Asian strongholds.
For detailed information about how international badminton competitions have evolved over time, badminton world federation history and tournament records provides comprehensive documentation of championship venues, participating nations, and historical performance data across all Sudirman Cup editions since 1989.
Prize Money and International Recognition
Unlike some badminton competitions, the Sudirman Cup offers no prize money. Instead, players compete for their respective countries and to earn BWF World Ranking points and national prestige.
The championship victory provides valuable ranking points that help players qualify for other major international badminton tournaments throughout the sporting calendar year.
Winning the Sudirman Cup brings significant international recognition and national pride to winning nations. The prestige of winning badminton’s premier mixed-team championship elevates players to legendary status within their countries and sporting communities.
FAQs
What is the Sudirman Cup in badminton?
The Sudirman Cup is badminton’s premier international mixed-team championship, contested biennially by national teams featuring elite male and female badminton players competing in five combined matches.
Which nation has won Sudirman Cup most?
China holds the record with 14 Sudirman Cup championships, though Indonesia and South Korea have also achieved multiple titles since the competition’s inception in 1989.
Has China won consecutive Sudirman Cups?
China won four consecutive Sudirman Cup titles from 2023 through 2025, demonstrating their sustained dominance in mixed-team badminton competition at the highest level.
Who won the latest Sudirman Cup?
China won the 2025 Sudirman Cup by defeating South Korea 3-1 in Xiamen, marking their record 14th championship victory in the tournament’s history.
How often is the Sudirman Cup held?
The Sudirman Cup is contested biennially, occurring every two years, making it one of badminton’s most frequent major mixed-team championships in international sports.
When was the Sudirman Cup first played?
The inaugural Sudirman Cup championship was played in 1989 in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Indonesia defeating China 3-2 to establish themselves as the sport’s early dominant force in mixed-team competition.
Which players have won the most Sudirman Cup titles?
Lin Dan from China won five Sudirman Cup titles across multiple championships, establishing himself as one of the greatest contributors to international badminton team success and demonstrating how individual excellence elevates entire national teams in mixed-team competition.
