Bumper entry for Scottish Open as Gilmour returns and Dunn and MacPherson aim to retain mixed doubles crown

A host of elite athletes from around the world will descend on Glasgow’s Emirates Arena from 20-23 November for the Scottish Open Badminton Championships.

The third oldest open tournament in the world has attracted a bumper entry this year of 355 players from 39 countries and all six continents.

Players from as far afield as Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia will be aiming to be on the top step of the podium on 23^rd of November but the home players will also have a big say in the final destination of the gold medals.

Alex Dunn and Julie MacPherson famously won the mixed doubles last year in their first attempt since pairing up with each other following the retirement of Adam Hall.

They will be keen to retain that trophy while Kirsty Gilmour, who won European silver in Denmark earlier this year, will be vying for her third Scottish Open title having won back-to-back women’s singles trophies in 2017 and 2018.

Badminton Scotland CEO Alan McMillan was delighted with the entry.

“It really is a great entry and anyone who is a fan of badminton should jump at the chance to come along to Emirates Arena in November and watch some of the action.

“The fact that payers are coming from badminton powerhouses like Korea and Malaysia, Indonesia, Denmark and England just shows the global attraction of this fantastic event.

“But we’ve also got some genuine medal chances for home players with the likes of Kirsty Gilmour, Mathew and Christopher Grimley and of course Alex Dunn and Julie MacPherson defending their mixed title. I can’t wait for it to start.”

Julie Pearson, Head of Events at Glasgow Life, said: “The Scottish Open Badminton Championships will make for a fantastic four days of competition and entertainment.

“The event is the latest in a long line of top-class sporting contests to take place at the Emirates Arena, with the venue recently hosting the hugely successful 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships.

“The Scottish Open offers a wonderful opportunity to watch some of the most exciting talent in the world’s fastest racquet sport go head-to-head.”

Alan Ransome OBE, Managing Director of Ransome Sporting Goods, said: “As the exclusive distributors for VICTOR Badminton products in the United Kingdom and Ireland we are delighted to join with VICTOR and our retail partner for Scotland Gannon Sports in supporting the Scottish Open Championship.

“We are confident that the Championship will be an excellent promotion for Badminton in Scotland and throughout Europe with the television coverage.’’

Gilmour has already had success this year, most notably at the Europeans in Denmark where she played through the pain barrier to win her 6th European silver medal and she can’t wait to play in front of a home crowd again.

“It’s been 7 years since the last time I played Scottish Open so I can wait to get back out on court in front of a home crowd in the Emirates Arena,” she said.

“I have so many great memories here – Scottish Open, World Champs, Commonwealth Games. I’m hoping to make some more at this year’s Scottish Open.”

Dunn and MacPherson just missed out on a European medal, reaching the quarter-finals before a close defeat by the eighth seeds from France.

They are coming into a period of good form recently, with a win over highly rated Korean pair Lee Jongmin and Chae Yu Jung at last week’s French Open and the pair are in no doubt that the Scottish fans could play a big part in their title challenge this year.

“Really looking forward to playing in the Scottish Open this year,” said MacPherson. “We had a lot of good memories from last year so I’m hoping we can put in some more good performances this year in front of the home crowd.”

Dunn agreed, saying “I always enjoy that special feeling of playing at the Scottish Open.

“Close friends and family being there adds to that feeling and it’s something we only get at our home event.

“I’ve heard the entry list is stronger than last year so if were able to defend our title, it would be amazing.

“The crowd will 100% play a big part in helping us and giving us that extra motivation to keep that winners trophy here!”

The Scottish Open Badminton Championships is staged by Badminton Scotland at the Emirates Arena with support from City of Glasgow and VICTOR Sport.

Tickets are on sale here: Scottish Open Badminton Championships tickets