Mixed Doubles Badminton’s Rising and Ruling Pairs Heading into 2026

Mixed doubles badminton has its own brand of chaos, and that's exactly what makes the game so thrilling. It's the only discipline where contrasting styles collide in every rally: power meets touch, patience meets explosiveness, and structure meets improvisation. The pace is ruthless, the tactical demands are immense, and the pressure to protect weak links is unforgiving. One loose serve, one slow rotation, and the rally is gone.

Unlike men's or women's doubles, mixed doubles is a constant balancing act. The best pairs don't just cover the court, but they also manage tempo, roles, and momentum in real time. Here's a closer look at five elite mixed doubles pairs whose performances in 2025 set the tone and who are primed to shape the narrative in 2026.

1. Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping - China

Favorite Racket: Astrox 77 Pro

Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping represent the gold standard of mixed doubles. Huang's experience, composure, and front-court authority anchor the pair, while Feng brings speed, sharp angles, and controlled aggression from the back. Their intensity lies in how cleanly they execute under pressure.

What separates them is decision-making. They don't chase winners early; they build rallies with precision, forcing opponents into poor lifts or rushed defenses. And this strategy was evident in their 2025 campaign, starting with the Petronas Malaysia Open (silver), the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships (silver), and the Clash of Clans Arctic Open (silver). They secured the bronze at the Daihatsu Japan Open and the Li-Ning China Masters.

Feng and Huang won the Yonex Swiss Open, Toyota Thailand Open, Perodua Malaysia Masters, Victor China Open, Li-Ning Hong Kong Open, Suwon Victor Korea Open, Victor Denmark Open, Yonex French Open, and the HSBC BWF World Tour.

In a discipline where even a split-second lapse in positioning can be fatal, they stay remarkably structured. Even in high-speed, chaotic exchanges, they rarely look rattled. It's this ability to maintain their shape under pressure that makes them the most reliable pair as we head into 2026.

Browse through Feng Yan Zhe's Badminton Collection and Huang Dong Ping's Badminton Collection

2. Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin - China

Favorite Racket: Nanoflare 1000Z and ArcSaber 7 Pro

Winning the Yonex Sunrise India Open in January 2025, Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin bring youthful aggression to China's mixed doubles game. Their play thrives on fast rotations and proactive positioning, constantly looking to take the shuttle early and keep opponents on the defensive.

What makes them stand out is their willingness to dictate play. Wei's sharp net interceptions, combined with Jiang's explosive rear-court coverage, allowed them to seize the initiative quickly. They don't wait for mistakes; they force them. And that is how they secured the titles at the Daihatsu Japan Open and the Clash of Clans Arctic Open.

They won silver at the Perodua Malaysia Masters, the Victor China Open, the Total Energies BWF World Championships, the Suwon Victor Korea Open, the Victor Denmark Open, and the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals.

Jiang and Wei stood third on the podium at the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships, Bank of Ningbo Badminton Asia Championships, and the Li-Ning China Masters, allowing them to stand out in the crowd. As their partnership matures, their raw pace and attacking instincts could make them one of the most disruptive mixed doubles pairs in 2026.

Browse through Jiang Zhen Bang's Badminton Collection and Wei Ya Xin's Badminton Collection

3. Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran - Thailand

Favorite Racket: ArcSaber 7 Pro and ArcSaber 11 Pro

Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran play mixed doubles with flair, finesse, and relentless creativity. Dechapol's deception and Supissara's lightning-fast reactions at the net make rallies unpredictable and uncomfortable for opponents.

Their intensity isn't loud or overwhelming, but it's subtle and intelligent, built on constant variation and clever disguise. Their quiet pressure set the tone for the 2025 campaign, as they opened the season with a confident win at the Petronas Malaysia Open, immediately reminding opponents of the danger their style can pose. They also won the Yonex Swiss Open.

Dechapol and Supissara's next bronze medals were at the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters, the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters, the Toyota Thailand Open, and the Clash of Clans Arctic Open. They also registered a silver at the SEA Games.

What truly defines them is their touch. Soft blocks, sudden pushes, and delayed shots constantly break opponents' rhythm. When rallies tighten and nerves kick in, their creativity often becomes the deciding factor, thus making them a nightmare matchup in big moments.

Browse through Dechapol Puavaranukroh's Badminton Collection and Supissara Paewsampran's Badminton Collection

4. Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei - Malaysia

Favorite Racket: Nanoflare 1000Z and Astrox 88D Pro

Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei bring edge and emotion to mixed doubles. Their matches are high-energy, fast-paced, and mentally charged. Chen's steep attacking angles paired with Toh’s fearless net play create constant forward pressure, forcing opponents into defensive postures early in rallies.

Their intensity shines brightest in momentum swings. They're not afraid to take risks, especially in tight situations, and that boldness often flips matches in their favor. Their strategy helped them win the bronze at the Petronas Malaysia Open, the Yonex Sunrise India Open, the Kapal API Indonesia Open, the Daihatsu Japan Open, the Sands China Ltd Macau Open, the Victor Denmark Open, the SEA Games, and the HSBC World Tour Finals.

They won the title at the Total Energies BWF World Championships and the Sathio Group Australian Open. They also won the silver at the Li-Ning China Masters. Their gameplay suggests that if they sharpen consistency without losing aggression, 2026 could be a breakthrough year.

Browse through Chen Tang Jie's Badminton Collection and Toh Ee Wei's Badminton Collection

5. Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue - France

Favorite Racket: AuraSpeed 100X Ultra and DriveX 12 Metallic

Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue represent Europe's tactical evolution in mixed doubles. Their game is built on structure, discipline, and smart shot selection rather than sheer speed. Every rally feels planned and yet adaptable.

They set the records straight by winning the silver at the Yonex Sunrise India Open, the 2025 European Championships, the Hylo Open, and the Kumamoto Masters Japan.

Thom and Delphine won the title at the Kapal API Indonesia Open and also the bronze medal at the Total Energies BWF World Championships. What sets them apart is patience. They're comfortable extending rallies, probing for weaknesses, and waiting for the right moment to strike. Delrue's net control and Gicquel's steady rear-court presence allow them to neutralize faster opponents by disrupting rhythm. In a discipline dominated by Asian pairs, their consistency and intelligence make them a serious threat moving into 2026.

Browse through Thom Gicquel's Badminton Collection and Delphine Delrue's Badminton Collection

The Tactical Battlefield of Mixed Doubles

Mixed doubles badminton is the sport at its most complex. It demands trust, communication, and constant adjustment under pressure. These five pairs show that success isn't about overpowering opponents, but it's about managing chaos, protecting structure, and making the right decisions when rallies spiral out of control.

As 2026 approaches, mixed doubles is set to deliver some of the most unpredictable and compelling battles in badminton. With styles clashing and margins shrinking, these partnerships are ready to define what elite mixed doubles looks like in the year ahead.