World Badminton Day Celebrates Community Connection Ahead of Sydney Sports Fitness Festival

SYDNEY, Australia (July 5, 2026) — Today, badminton communities around the world unite to celebrate World Badminton Day, honouring one of the globe’s most accessible and inclusive sports. Commemorating the founding of the Badminton World Federation, this annual celebration puts badminton at the forefront as a game with the unique power to enable physical fitness, teamwork and human connection.

Mark your dates for the upcoming AFT International Sports Fitness Festival (SPOFIFE 2026) which takes place from 24–30 August in the heart of the Sydney Haymarket precinct. Host venue Market City Shopping Centre will transform into a badminton centre court while launching an official Australian Book of Records attempt in a unique sports inclusion social experiment bringing together hundreds of participants from all backgrounds: “First sports festival to set up a full-size Badminton court inside a shopping complex fostering sports inclusion in Oceania”.

Celebrate World Badminton Day!

In the lead up to SPOFIFE 2026, we have come up with a fun activity to celebrate World Badminton Day starting today. Anyone can participate no matter where you are in the world! Here’s how:

1. Solo or with a group of friends, hold a badminton racquet and dance your way in any way
2. Add your own text on the video for example, “POV: Badminton is more than sport”!
3. Film, upload & tag us on Instagram @afitnesstoday.official or TikTok @asiafitnesstoday
4. Use the hashtags #SPOFIFE2026 #MARKETCITY #BADMINTONNSW #RAISEARACKET #WORLDBADMINTONDAY
5. Deadline: 5 August 2026, 5pm (AEST/Sydney time)
6. Top 3 finalists* will showcase their dance at Market City Shopping Centre in Sydney Haymarket, on 29 AUG 2026!

Festival Highlights & Purpose:

• Activities: Tai Chi, Table Tennis, Badminton, Para Badminton, Sports Talks and the World Badminton Day Dance Challenge Showcase and more!

• Lucky Draw: Lots of prizes to be won!

• The Venue: Hosted at Market City Shopping Centre in the heart of Sydney’s Chinatown, one of Australia’s most iconic destinations for travellers visiting from Asia.

• The Mission: Co-created by carer filmmaker Jasmine Low and fitness coach Nikki Yeo, the annual festival SPOFIFE promotes social inclusion through sports. It was originally designed so Jasmine’s mother, Shirley, could fully participate as a virtual spectator via YouTube at home.

• Community Impact: Organised by Go International Group Dotcom Pty Ltd (the team behind the Move8 Walkahunt), this profit-for-purpose project channels all profits back into supporting Sydney’s local community groups with a focus in Haymarket.

• Proudly Supported By: Badminton NSW and Community Bank Darling Square Bendigo Bank.

Whether you are picking up a racket for the first time or cheering from home, every rally brings us closer together as a community.

Mark the dates and be sure to be a part of Sydney’s history at the very site where the iconic 100-year-old Sydney Paddy’s Market stands!

Get Involved:

To learn more, register, or join the excitement, connect with us!

• Volunteer: https://sportsfitnessfestival.com/volunteer/
• Book a slot to be amongst the first 100 people to play at the Market City Centre court. Visit the official RSVP page on the AFT International Sports Fitness Festival website here: http://www.sportsfitnessfestival.com/rsvp.
• Share our posts and your photos posing with a badminton racket. Use the hashtags #SPOFIFE2026 #MARKETCITY #BADMINTONNSW #RAISEARACKET #WORLDBADMINTONDAY
• Connect with us and our partners on social media:
  • Instagram @afitnesstoday.official @marketcity @communitybanksydney
  • Facebook @asiafitnesstoday @afitnesstoday @BadmintonNSW
  • Tik Tok @afitnesstoday

Event Details:

• Date: 24 to 30 August 2026
• Time: 12pm to 5pm
• Venue: Market City Shopping Centre, 9-13 Hay Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
• Cost: Free upon registration for individuals. Register here: http://www.sportsfitnessfestival.com/rsvp.
• Corporate group packages are available upon request. Email us at info@sportsfitnessfestival.com to book your group.

Ends.

*Flights not included.

Fact Sheet

Market City Shopping Centre – Official Venue Host

Market City is the heart of Sydney’s original Chinatown — a living market precinct where food, culture, and community come together from day to night.

As Sydney’s original market destination, Market City has long been a hub of culture, food, and retail. Today, it continues to evolve with the addition of Hay St Market and a renewed focus on fresh produce, street food, and late-night experiences — redefining what a modern market precinct can be.

Home to both the iconic Paddy’s Markets and Hay St Market — Sydney’s largest international food market — Market City brings together three levels of shopping, dining, and entertainment in one vibrant destination.

Open 365 days a year and just minutes from Central Station, it is a must-visit destination for food lovers, locals, and visitors alike.

Visit www.marketcity.com.au to learn more.