UDE Hosts Championships in Badminton and Roundnet
Go for Gold!
- 08.05.2026
Top-level matches, 330 participants – spread across four days: From May 14 to 17, the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) will host the German University Championships in Badminton and Roundnet. At campus Gladbecker Straße in Essen, speed meets precision, while established elite sport meets a rising trend sport. UDE has strong medal chances in badminton. Admission is free, and loud support from the stands is highly encouraged.
The preliminary round of the badminton team competition has already taken place. Duisburg-Essen clearly defeated co-favorite Cologne and now appears set for a decisive clash with Bonn in Thursday’s (May 14) Final Four. UDE athletes are also among the favorites in the individual competitions: Xenia Kölmel, German University Champion 2025, is aiming to defend her title, while last year’s runner-up Karl Sufryd is also considered a strong contender. Overall, UDE fields a broad badminton squad, including one women’s doubles team, three men’s doubles teams, three mixed teams, as well as three players in the women’s singles and six in the men’s singles competitions.
Roundnet – with competitions starting on Friday, May 15 – adds a young and dynamic sport to the program, better known to many as spikeball. Played two versus two around a small trampoline-like net, the game demands speed, quick reactions and teamwork. UDE will compete with two men’s teams and one mixed team, though they are considered outsiders in the medal race.
Location: Sports Facility Gladbecker Straße 180/182, 45141 Essen
Schedule – Badminton
Thursday, May 14
- from 10:00 a.m. – Registration
- from 12:00 p.m. – Final Four Team Event
Friday, May 15
- 9:00 a.m. – Official opening ceremony
- from 10:00 a.m. – Qualification rounds Men’s Singles & Women’s Singles
- from 1:00 p.m. – Mixed competition main draw through semifinals
- from 4:00 p.m. – Men’s Singles main draw (Round 1)
- from 4:30 p.m. – Women’s Singles main draw (Round 1)
Saturday, May 16
- from 9:00 a.m. – Men’s Singles Round 2 through semifinals
- from 9:30 a.m. – Women’s Singles Round 2 through semifinals
- from 11:30 a.m. – Men’s & Women’s Doubles main draw through semifinals
- from 4:00 p.m. – Semifinals
Sunday, May 17
- from 10:00 a.m. – Finals in all disciplines
- followed by award ceremonies
Schedule – Roundnet
Friday, May 15
- 9:00 a.m. – Official welcome ceremony
- 9:15 a.m.–5:00 p.m. – Women’s & Men’s competitions (through semifinals)
Saturday, May 16
- 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. – Mixed tournament through semifinals
Sunday, May 17
- from 10:00 a.m. – Final rounds
- followed by award ceremonies for all sports