WORLD’S BADMINTON SUPERSTARS ARRIVE IN SYDNEY

The world’s best badminton players have arrived in Sydney ahead of the Australian Badminton Open 2015.

Beginning tomorrow at Sydney Olympic Park, the Australian Badminton Open is one of 12 events on the prestigious Badminton World Federation Superseries tour, offering US$750,000 in prize money as well as the chance for competitors to earn qualifying points for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the event secured by Destination NSW will see all of the world’s top 29 Men’s Singles players, and all but two of the top 24 Women’s Singles players descend on Sydney.

“This event has established a reputation as a not-to-be-missed fixture of the international badminton circuit and it draws significant visitation to Sydney, last year estimated to be worth more than $1 million to the State’s economy,” Mr Ayres said.

“It also showcases Sydney to a huge international audience through the extensive broadcast, which this year is expected to reach more than 300 million homes including many in key Asian tourism markets.”

The 2015 Australian Badminton Open will see a record field of 340 players from 30 countries take to the courts.

The Australian Badminton Open is a part of Sydney’s Super Week of sport featuring:

• State of Origin Game 1 at ANZ Stadium
• AFL Indigenous Round match featuring Sydney Swans v Carlton at Sydney Cricket Ground
• Sydney FC taking on Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur at ANZ Stadium
• 2014-15 English Premier League champions Chelsea v Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium

“With Vivid Sydney festival also in full swing, there is no doubt NSW is the home of Australia’s major events,” Mr Ayres concluded.