Players competing in a badminton match inside a shopping mall with spectators around

Sports festival to set Australian Record attempt as first to set up a badminton court in a mall to promote social cohesion!

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Workplaces, community groups, families, students and visitors are invited to play badminton, connect and make history in Sydney’s Haymarket precinct

(31 July 2026) SYDNEY, Australia – The fifth edition of the AFT International Sports Fitness Festival (SPOFIFE 2026) convenes at Market City Shopping Centre in Haymarket, Sydney’s Chinatown from 24 to 30 August 2026 in an attempt to break an Australian Record for the “First Full-Size Badminton Court Set Up in a Shopping Centre Atrium Promoting Social Cohesion in the Southern Hemisphere”.

 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2026) tells us that only one in four Australians meets recommended physical activity guidelines. For many busy workers, students, carers, older adults and people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, finding an accessible, welcoming and genuinely affordable way into sport can feel out of reach.

 

“We designed this for people who love badminton, community belonging and fun,” said Jasmine Low, Carer and CEO of live events and media production company, Go International Group Dotcom Pty Ltd. “Whether you are joining with colleagues or your community group, you are not just playing badminton. You are getting active, sharing a laugh, meeting new people and contributing to a historic moment that celebrates everything that makes Sydney’s multicultural community so remarkable.”

 

Participation at the festival is free for the public. Corporate companies can send teams of four people at $500 and directly support the festival’s community mission with a profit-for-purpose initiative that channels profits back into local community groups in the Haymarket precinct, with a focus on CALD communities and others who face barriers to sports participation. The Sydney Haymarket Badminton Challenge corporate slots are available from Monday 24 August to Wednesday 26 August 2026 between 12 to 5 PM. Packages include lunch vouchers redeemable at Market City and an entry into a lucky draw and recognition across event marketing and social media channels.

 

Free “Come and Try Badminton” sessions for the public are coordinated by NSW Badminton and run from Thursday, 27 to Sunday 30 August 2026 between 3 to 5 PM with other free activities like Tai Chi Tuesdays and Table Tennis provided by venue host, Market City Shopping Centre. There will also be badminton demonstration matches by professionals and para-Badminton players, Badminton Dance Challenge. Participants can register on the spot and wear white-soled sneakers to play.

Photo credit: Children trying badminton @ Sydney Streets 2024 (https://SportsFitnessFestival.com)

Event Details

 

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Photo credit: image is an AI-generated photo of people playing badminton inside a shopping mall.

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.

 

Badminton NSW – Sporting Partner

The New South Wales Badminton Association (Badminton NSW) is the state governing body for badminton across NSW. Affiliated with Badminton Australia, the organisation oversees the growth, development, and administration of the sport from grassroots community participation to elite state-team pathways. Badminton NSW coordinates a comprehensive annual calendar of state opens, school team tournaments, and junior selection events, while also delivering coaching accreditation, referee pathways, and inclusive community programs like Shuttle Smash and Abilities Unleashed. Serving a vibrant, multicultural playing community across Sydney and regional NSW, the association works to ensure badminton remains an accessible, safe, and welcoming sport for players of all ages and background levels.

Visit https://www.badmintonnsw.org.au/ to learn more.

 

Community Bank Darling Square Bendigo Bank branch

Community Bank Darling Square, operated by City West Community Financial Services Limited as a franchise of Bendigo Bank, is a locally focused financial branch situated on Little Pier Street in Sydney’s Haymarket precinct. Beyond offering standard retail and commercial banking products, the branch operates under a profit-for-purpose model that directly reinvests a major portion of its earnings back into the surrounding community through local grants and partnerships. Located at the vibrant intersection of Darling Harbour and Haymarket, the branch serves as an active neighbourhood hub that sponsors local cultural initiatives, art exhibitions, and community projects.

Visit https://www.communitybanksydney.com for more.

 

AFT International Sports Fitness Festival (SPOFIFE)

The AFT International Sports Fitness Festival is a co-creation by carer-filmmaker Jasmine Low and ACE-certified fitness coach Nikki Yeo and is now in its fifth year with previous editions in Kuala Lumpur, Port Macquarie and Sydney. Since 2023, SPOFIFE has engaged over 3,000 participants across talks, walks, inclusive sport programs and VR walkathons. The 2026 Sydney edition is proudly supported by Market City Shopping Centre, Badminton NSW and Community Bank Darling Square Bendigo Bank.

SPOFIFE is a social research production organised in Australia by Go International Group Dotcom Pty Ltd under license from Go International Group Dotcom Sdn Bhd.

Hashtags: #SPOFIFE2026 #MarketCity #BadmintonNSW

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