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Thomas Cup

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description Thomas Cup Overview

The Thomas Cup is the trophy awarded to the men's champion of the BWF World Team Championships, the international national-team competition also known as the Thomas Cup Finals. The event was first staged in 1948-49 and is contested by national badminton associations in a team format built from singles and doubles matches. It is intended for readers and fans tracing men's international badminton, team competition, and the tournament's championship history.

help Thomas Cup FAQ

What does the Thomas Cup represent in badminton?

The Thomas Cup is awarded to the national men's team that wins the BWF World Team Championships. It is badminton's main international men's team title, rather than an individual singles or doubles trophy.

How does a Thomas Cup tie work?

A tie consists of up to five matches: three men's singles and two men's doubles. The first country to win three matches wins the tie and advances in the competition.

When was the Thomas Cup first contested?

The inaugural Thomas Cup was played in 1948-49 and is commonly listed as the 1949 tournament. The event was held every three years until 1982 and has been biennial since then.

Who was the Thomas Cup named after?

The trophy honors Sir George Alan Thomas, an English badminton player and administrator. He proposed a men's team competition inspired by events such as football's World Cup and tennis's Davis Cup.