Skip to content
Insporta Book
en
EnglishРусскийDeutschEspañolEestiSuomiItalianoFrançaisPolski日本語한국어中文
FootballCricketFutsalTriathlonTennisGolfFigure SkatingBasketballVolleyballRugbyBaseballBadmintonMethodologyWhy it worksTake a test

Badminton · Laws of Badminton

Law 8: Change of Ends

1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown

Law 8 tells players when to change ends during a badminton match and what to do if a change is forgotten. Ends change after games one and two and once more during the third game.

The first change comes as game one finishes. A second change follows game two, but only when a deciding game is still to come; if the match is already won, no decider is played and that change never happens. In the third game the players change ends when a side first reaches 8 points. Before 2027 that trigger was 11. Law 8.1.3 excepts handicap matches, which have their own section of the BWF Statutes.

If a change is missed, it is made as soon as the mistake is discovered and the shuttle is not in play. The change is simply made late, and the score is not altered.

The facts below cover the three changes of ends, the point in the deciding game that triggers the last one, and how a missed change is put right.

8.81Changing Ends

The three changes of ends, the handicap exception and a missed change.

Test 1When the players change ends, and a missed changeTake a test

  1. Law 8.1.1: the first change comes as game one finishes.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.1 · recall

  2. A second change follows game two, but only when a decider is still to come.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.2 · recall

  3. In the third game the change comes when a side first reaches 8 points (it was 11 before 2027).

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.3 · recall

  4. A missed change is made as soon as it is discovered and the shuttle is not in play.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.2 · applied

  5. Law 8.2: the change is made late and the score is not altered.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.2 · applied

  6. With the match already won, no decider is played, so that second change never happens.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.2 · applied

  7. Law 8.1.3 excepts handicap matches, which have their own section of the BWF Statutes.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.3 · recall

  8. Ends change after games one and two and once more during the third game.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1 · recall

  9. The change waits for the shuttle to be out of play, and the score is not touched.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.2 · applied

  10. Reaching 8 in the deciding game is exactly the trigger Law 8.1.3 names.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.3 · applied

Questions people ask

When do players change ends in badminton?
At the end of game one, at the end of game two if a third game follows, and in the third game when a side first reaches 8 points.
At what score do you change ends in the third game?
When a side first reaches 8 points. Before 2027 it was 11.
What if players forget to change ends?
They change as soon as the mistake is discovered and the shuttle is not in play. The score is not altered.
Do players change ends after game two if the match is over?
No. The second change follows game two only when a deciding game is still to come.
Do handicap matches follow the same change of ends?
No, Law 8.1.3 excepts handicap matches, which have their own section of the BWF Statutes.

Sources

BWF Laws of Badminton, V6.0 in force 4 January 2027, Law 8 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.33
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.23
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.22
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.1.11
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 8.11