Thornlee Badminton Tournament
The Thornlee Badminton Tournament is our end of season tournament, run in accordance with the rules of Badminton Scotland. The event takes place every year towards the end of the season, providing an individual competitive badminton tournament for club members in the Langside Badminton League.
Only participating members of Langside League clubs can participate in Thornlee. A list of registered players in Langside can be found here.
Events start in a group format and then, depending on the size of groups, will be followed by knock-out formats for players who win or come runner-up in their group matches.
You can view results from 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025 on Tournament Software.
Thornlee 2026
Thornlee 2026 will take place on Saturday 14 March at the Sir Craig Reedie (Cockburn) Badminton Centre. The detailed schedule for each discipline will be confirmed in early March once entry numbers are finalised.
To keep the event financially sustainable, the programme has been streamlined for 2026. This year’s tournament will feature three disciplines only: Mixed Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Men’s Doubles.
We’re also introducing a refreshed event format to welcome more players from across the Langside Badminton League. For the first time, Thornlee will offer two entry categories — Competitive and Social — designed to promote fair play and broaden participation, particularly among second‑division players. This new structure aims to create a more balanced and inclusive tournament, giving players the chance to compete against others with similar experience and ability while preserving the competitive integrity of the event.
Category Definitions
- Competitive: For players who either:
- Play in their club’s first division in the current or most recent Langside season, or
- Regularly compete in Badminton Scotland sanctioned ranking events.
- Social: For players who:
- Play in their club’s second division, and
- Do not regularly enter Badminton Scotland sanctioned ranking events.
Eligibility Criteria
Automatic Competitive classification applies if a player:
- Is listed in a club’s first-division roster for the current season, or
- Has regular participation in Badminton Scotland ranking events.
Self-declaration is required at registration:
- Players must select either Competitive or Social.
- Those who choose Social will have their entry provisionally accepted, pending verification.
- Players who select Competitive will remain in that category without further review.
The full criteria and regulations for entering competitive or social events can be found here.
Entry details
All players will be guaranteed a minimum of three matches per event. If entry numbers meet the required threshold, group winners and runners-up will progress to knockout rounds.
- Entry deadline: Sunday 15 February.
- Fees: £12 per event.
Payment must be made by the deadline directly to Langside Badminton League. Details on how to pay your fee will be issued to you from contact@langsidebadminton.co.uk following your entry being processed.
Night Out
As the tournament will now take place over a single day, we’re organising a night out in the evening to present trophies and medals to this year’s champions. This will give us the chance not only to recognise the achievements on court, but also to come together as a league, socialise, and enjoy a well‑earned drink (or two!) after a full day of badminton.
The venue will be confirmed by early February, but if you’d like to join us — whether you’re competing or simply want to be part of the celebrations — please let us know so we can plan for numbers by emailing contact@langsidebadminton.co.uk.
Thornlee 2025 Champions, Runners Up and Medalists
More photographs can be found on our Facebook page for Thornlee 2023 and Thornlee 2024.
The Thornlee Trophy
In 1973, The Thornlee Trophy, presented by Orchardhill Badminton Club, was introduced to award the overall best performing club at the Thornlee tournament. Players represent their clubs across events, earning points that go towards the total for their club. Points are awarded as follows:
- Champion: 4 points
- Runner-up: 3 points
- Semi Finalist: 2 points
- Quarter finalist: 1 point
Singles players are awarded the full points, whereas doubles pairings split the points between them.
We also recognise the MVPs (Most Valueable Players) of the tournament – competitors who earned the most points for their club towards the Thornlee Trophy.