Top five title favourites in women's singles at All England Open 2026
An Se-young is the defending champion and strong favourite to retain her title.
The All England Open 2026 takes centre stage at the Utilita Arena Birmingham from 3 to 8 March, offering a prize purse of USD 1,450,000 and featuring top players around the globe as one of badminton’s most prestigious events.
The women’s singles draw at the 2026 All England Open is headlined by a dominant An Se-young, but the road to the Birmingham crown is anything but straightforward.
The world No. 1 arrives after title runs in Malaysia and India, yet rivals such as Wang Zhiyi, Olympic champion Chen Yufei, former winner Akane Yamaguchi, and the ever-dangerous Ratchanok Intanon bring form, experience, and tactical variety.
Also Read: Top five title favourites in men’s singles at All England Open 2026
With proven champions spread across the draw, this year’s edition promises high-intensity clashes from the quarterfinals onward. Here are the five players who are most likely to win the title this year:
Title favourites in women’s singles at All England Open 2026
5. Ratchanok Intanon
Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon is the tournament’s most intriguing wildcard. The former world champion reached the semi-final at the India Open 2026, showcasing that her game, built on deception, touch, and court craft, remains fully capable of troubling the very best. Seeded seventh, she has a draw that could see her face Wang Zhiyi in the latter stages.
If Intanon can recapture the magic of her peak years, she has every tool required to produce a deep run in Birmingham. All England’s fast surface and storied history seem tailor-made for a player of her flair and competitive spirit.
4. Akane Yamaguchi
Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi is a perennial All England contender. The world No. 4 won the All England Open in 2022, defeating An Se-young in the finals. She possesses one of the most complete games on the tour, breathtaking retrievals, sharp-angle attacks, and an engine that never seems to empty. Her experience in finals and high-pressure matches is invaluable.
Seeded fourth, Yamaguchi could potentially meet Wang Zhiyi in the last four, setting up a fascinating clash of contrasting styles. Should she navigate that challenge, a final against An Se-young or Chen Yufei would be a spectacular showcase of women’s badminton.
3. Chen Yufei
Olympic champion Chen Yufei has been a model of consistency in the early 2026 season, collecting bronze medals at both the Malaysia Open and the India Open before winning the Indonesia Masters title.
The former world No. 1 brings enormous experience and big-game credentials to Birmingham, and the All England, a tournament she has long coveted, provides the perfect stage for her ambitions.
Seeded third, Chen’s potential quarter-final and semi-final opponents represent a serious test, but her record on the tour speaks for itself. If she is firing on all cylinders, she could deny both Wang Zhiyi and An Se-young the title.
2. Wang Zhiyi
China’s Wang Zhiyi has enjoyed a superb start to 2026, finishing runner-up at the Malaysia Open before claiming the same result at the India Open behind An Se-young. The world No. 2 is clinical, consistent, and increasingly comfortable in the finals of the sport’s biggest events.
Seeded second, Wang is likely to be An Se-young’s toughest rival over the course of the week. Their head-to-head battles have been closely fought, and if Wang can find the aggressive variation that unsettles An, a repeat India Open final is well on the cards.
1. An Se-young
South Korea’s An Se-young is the world No. 1 and the undisputed favourite heading into Birmingham. The defending All England champion has been in imperious form this season, claiming the Malaysia Open and India Open 2026 titles, defeating Wang Zhiyi in both finals and consistently performing at the highest level.
Her relentless baseline game, speed around the court, and mental toughness make her the benchmark for all rivals. Seeded first, An has a well-structured path to the final.
She will need to be at her best to see off challenges from the likes of number 3 seed Chen Yufei and Gao Fang Jie in the latter rounds, but on current form, she is a formidable candidate for back-to-back All England titles.
Where and when will All England Open 2026 take place?
The BWF Super 1000 event will be played at the Utilita Arena Birmingham from March 3 to 8.
Who are the title favourites in women’s singles at All England Open 2026?
Led by An Se Young, the World’s top four ranked players are the biggest title contenders in women’s singles at All England Open 2026. Take a look!
Who is the defending champion in women’s singles at All England Open?
South Korea’s An Se Young is the defending champion and two-time winner of the women’s singles title at the BWF Super 1000 event.
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Ansh is a sports content creator and aspiring data scientist with a focus on Olympic sports like badminton and chess. A state-level badminton player and 1900+ rated chess enthusiast, his content has been reshared by top athletes including HS Prannoy and Vidit Gujrathi. Follow Ansh for the latest updates on your favorite sports!