The information below is extracted from the IBF Statutes (2005-2006) Competition Regulations. Umpires should apply these rules in all tournaments.

General

An article of clothing is defined as anything worn or carried by a player during play, except the racket, and including, but not limited to, pullovers, shirts, shorts, skirts, socks, shoes, headbands, towels, wristbands, bandages and medical supports.

In order to ensure attractive presentation of badminton, all clothing worn by players shall be acceptable badminton sports clothing. It is not acceptable to tape over nor to pin on advertising nor in any other way to modify such clothing to comply with advertising or other regulations.

Regulations regarding advertising apply only to clothing worn during play.

Colour of Players' Clothing

Each article of clothing may be of any colour or combination of colours.

Team Events: In all team events, players must wear team colours. That is, each player must wear the same colour and design of shirts and shorts (or equivalent articles of clothing).

Singles Matches: Each player must wear, as far as colour and design is concerned, shirts and shorts (or equivalent articles of clothing) in accordance with the following...

• In International events, the colour of clothing is optional.
• In Continental Circuit events, the colour of clothing is optional or dependent on the Continental Confederation's regulations.
• In Open and World Grand Prix events, and in the World Championships, it is recommended that, from the quarter-finals onwards, the opposing players in each match wear different colours from each other.
• In the World Junior Championships, it is recommended that, from the semi-finals onwards, the opposing players in each match wear different colours from each other.
• In the Thomas & Uber Cups, the Sudirman Cup and the World Junior Team Championships, it is recommended that the opposing players in each match wear different colours from each other.
• In the Olympic Games, it is mandatory for the opposing players in each match to wear different colours from each other.

Doubles Matches: Each player in a given pair must wear, as far as colour and design is concerned, shirts and shorts (or equivalent articles of clothing) in accordance with the following...

• In International events, the colour of clothing is optional.
• In Continental Circuit events, the colour of clothing is optional or dependent on the Continental Confederation's regulations.
• In Open events, it is recommended that doubles partners wear the same colour, and that from the quarter-finals onwards, the opposing pairs in each match wear different colours from each other.
• In World Grand Prix events, it is mandatory for doubles partners to wear the same colour from the quarter-finals onwards. It is recommended that, from the quarter-finals onwards, the opposing players in each match wear different colours from each other.
• In the World Championships, it is mandatory for doubles partners to wear the same colour. It is recommended that, from the quarter-finals onwards, the opposing players in each match wear different colours from each other.
• In the World Junior Championships, it is recommended that, from the semi-finals onwards, doubles partners wear the same colour, and that the opposing pairs in each match wear different colours from each other.
• In the Thomas & Uber Cups, the Sudirman Cup and the World Junior Team Championships, it is recommended that the opposing pairs in each match wear different colours from each other.
• In the Olympic Games, it is mandatory for doubles partners to wear the same colour and that the opposing pairs in each match to wear different colours from each other.

In the event that the opposing players/pairs involved in a match wish to wear the same coloured clothing, the player/pair place lower in the draw will be required to wear clothing of a different colour.

Designs on Players' Clothing

Each article of clothing may only bear a design as provided for in the following...

• Abstract designs are permitted when devoid of advertising, commercial or promotional content.
• The front of the shirt may carry the flag or national emblem of the association represented.
• A design is allowed when it forms part of an advert (see below for advertising regulations) and falls wholly within the permitted dimensions.

Lettering on Players' Clothing

Each article of clothing may only have visible lettering as provided for in the following...

Colour, Style and Height of Lettering

• Lettering shall be in capital letters in the Roman alphabet, and in one single colour contrasting with that of the shirt.
• If there is a pattern on the back of the shirt, the lettering should be on a contrasting panel.
• In order that lettering be legible from a distance for spectators in the stadium and television viewers, lettering must be a minimum height of 6 cm and a maximum height of 10 cm.
• Lettering should be horizontal, or as close to horizontal as practically possible, and placed near the top of the shirt.

Player Names

If used, the players' name shall include the family name (or an abbreviation thereof) and, if desired, the initials of the given name(s) or nickname, and shall correspond with the name on the entry. Any name of a player on the back of the shirt shall meet all lettering requirements and must be in accordance with the following...

• In International events, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is optional.
• In Continental Circuit events, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is optional or dependent on the Continental Confederation's regulations.
• In Open and World Grand Prix events, and in the World Championships, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is mandatory.
• In the World Junior Championships, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is optional, but mandatory from the semi-finals onwards.
• In the Thomas & Uber Cups continental stage, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is optional, unless otherwise required by the respective Continental Confederation. In the Thomas & Uber Cups final stage, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is mandatory.
• In the Sudirman Cup, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is mandatory for Division 1 and optional for the other divisions.
• In the World Junior Team Championships, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is optional, but mandatory for the final.
• In the Olympic Games, the name of the player on the back of the shirt is mandatory.

Association Names

The name of the player's association may appear on the back of the shirt and, if used, shall meet all lettering requirements and must be in accordance with the following...

• In International events, the name of the player's association on the back of the shirt is optional.
• In Continental Circuit events, the name of the player's association on the back of the shirt is optional or dependent on the Continental Confederation's regulations.
• In Open and World Grand Prix events, and in the World Championships and the World Junior Championships, the name of the player's association on the back of the shirt is optional.
• In the Thomas & Uber Cups continental stage, the name of the player's association on the back of the shirt is optional, unless otherwise required by the respective Continental Confederation. In the Thomas & Uber Cups final stage, the name of the player's association on the back of the shirt is mandatory.
• In the Sudirman Cup, the name of the player's association on the back of the shirt is mandatory for Division 1 and optional for the other divisions.
• In the World Junior Team Championships, the name of the player's association on the back of the shirt is optional, but mandatory for the final.
• In the Olympic Games, the name of the player's NOC on the back of the shirt is mandatory.

Lettering Sequence and Use in Advertisements

• The sequence on the shirt, from top to bottom, shall be player name (if present), association name (if present), advert (if present).
• Lettering is also allowed when it forms part of an advert permitted by the advertising regulations (see below), and falls wholly within the permitted dimensions. Such lettering can then be in any alphabet.

Advertising on Players' Clothing

Articles of clothing may only have advertising as provided for in the following...

Shirt

• Advertisements may appear on the following locations: Left sleeve, right sleeve, left collar, right collar, front of shirt. Each advertisement must be 20 cm² or less, and there must be no more than three in total and only one per location; and
• Advertising contained in a band of uniform width not exceeding 10 cm; such a band may be at any angle and may be on the front of the shirt, the back of the shirt, or both. (Note: If, in the Referee's sole judgment, there is a clash between the content of this advertising and the event sponsors or the TV broadcasters, or if the content of the advertising would infringe local laws or be considered offensive, then the Referee may limit advertising on the shirt to the first point above.

Other Clothing

• Each sock and each shoe may carry two advertisements provide each advert is 20 cm² or less.
• Each other article of clothing may carry one advertisement of 20 cm² or less.

The advertisements in the above regulations may be the clothing manufacturer's emblem or that of any sponsor.

In multi-sport events (e.g. the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games), the organisers may specify more restrictive advertising limitations on players' clothing during play.

Member Association Advertising

• Member Associations may use an area not exceeding 50 cm² on their players' shorts or lower part of dresses or skirts.
• The area shall typically be used for a Member Association's logo or an advert for a Member Association's sponsor.
• The advertisement must be the same on the shorts or skirts of all players from an one Member Association.