All England Open Badminton Championships 2024: schedule, how to watch on BBC and results

The world's best badminton players will head to Birmingham for the All England Open from March 12-17, broadcast live on BBC Sport.

It is the 125th edition of the oldest tournament in the world, with the possibility of participation in Paris 2024 in addition to the main draw.

Players from England and Scotland will compete alongside international stars from countries including China, Indonesia and Denmark.

Here's everything you need to know about this event.

It's an all-English affair to start the mixed doubles action, with Marcus Ellis/Lauren Smith taking on Gregory Myers/Jenny Myers. Ellis is one of the few Britons to have won an Olympic medal, taking bronze in 2016.

European silver medalists Ben Lane/Sean Fendi lead the way for England in the men's doubles, with Scotland's Alexander Dunne/Adam Hall also in the draw after claiming European bronze in 2023.

“In Asia, it's just part of their DNA, like football here,” Ellis told BBC Sport. “Every kid here starts by kicking the ball, while they pick up the racket and start hitting the shuttle.”

“It's just getting the younger guys to pick up the bat sooner and see that this is what we want to do,” Fendi added.

How do Olympic qualifiers work?

The All England Open is one of the last few events before the April 28 deadline for points for the Race to Paris classification list, which will determine Olympic places.

A total of 172 players will travel to Paris. There will be 35 men's singles players and 35 women's singles players, as well as 16 doubles partnerships in each of the majors, in addition to places reserved for host nation France and the world places.

BBC Sport will broadcast the All England Open from 12-17 March on the website, app, Red Button and BBC iPlayer.

All England Open Badminton Championships 2024 schedule (all times GMT)