The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced BK8 News as the Presenting Partner of the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026. The official statement, published on 22 April 2026 by BWF on its tournament site, confirms that BK8 News will support the team championship through enhanced media coverage and content-led initiatives.
The announcement extends BK8's growing relationship with world badminton's governing body. The brand was previously named the BWF's official betting partner for major championships in April 2025, and BK8 sponsorship signage has appeared at the TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2025, the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2025, and the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals. The 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals deal marks BK8 News' first standalone Presenting Partner role at a BWF flagship event.
"A flagship team competition"
Owen Leed, Commercial & Communications Director at the Badminton World Federation, said the partnership reflects the rising commercial profile of the federation's premier championships:
"We are delighted to welcome BK8 News onboard for our flagship team competition, the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026. The collaboration highlights the rising commercial strength of our premier championships and supports broader international exposure through BK8 News' media reach."
— Owen Leed, Commercial & Communications Director, BWF
"A major milestone for BK8 News"
Michael Gatt, Managing Director of BK8 News, said the agreement represents a significant step for the brand:
"We are excited to be a Presenting Partner of the prestigious BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026, a tournament with a rich legacy and one of the most anticipated events on the global badminton calendar. This partnership marks a major milestone for BK8 News, providing a global stage to elevate our brand and bring fans closer to the excitement of world-class badminton through engaging content, storytelling, and immersive experiences."
— Michael Gatt, Managing Director, BK8 News
Deal facilitation
The deal was facilitated by Infront, BWF's commercial and broadcast partner, with support from Outlast Sports & Entertainment. Salauddin Sinnakandu, CEO of Outlast Sports & Entertainment, commented: "This collaboration marks a noteworthy milestone, and we look forward to seeing the ways it will evolve and the impact it will create."
About the tournament
The BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals is the world team championship for men's (Thomas Cup) and women's (Uber Cup) badminton. It is contested every two years between the world's top-ranked national teams, drawing some of the largest international audiences on the badminton calendar.
About BK8
BK8 is a Southeast Asian online gaming brand operating since 2015. The platform is licensed by the Government of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, Union of Comoros (Licence No. ALSI-202504032-FI2) and independently tested by BMM Testlabs. BK8's wider sponsorship portfolio includes BK8 Gresini Racing in MotoGP, Burnley F.C., and an extended history of BWF event partnerships, with BK8's sportsbook covering badminton alongside major football, basketball and other global sports.
Source: BWF official announcement, "BWF Announces BK8 News as Presenting Partner of the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026", published 22 April 2026.