Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew live stream: watch coverage of the BWF World Championships men's final, start time

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Can India's first ever mens singles finalist bring it home?

India's Srikanth Kidambi hits a shot to India's Lakshya Sen Sindhu during the men's singles at the BWF World Championships in Huelva
(Image credit: Getty Images / Jose Jordon)

This is a huge day for Badminton in India and Singapore with the Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew BWF World Championships men's singles final about to hit the stage. The match has been delayed and is due to get underway shortly. Their nations' hopes rest on the shoulders of both men. Singapore and India await their first men's singles champions. No pressure, then. Here's how to get a Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew free live stream wherever you are.

Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew live stream

Dates: December 19

Venue: Palacio de los Deportes Carolina Marin, Huelva, Spain

Time: 5pm IST / 7.20pm SGT / 11.30am GMT / 6.30am ET

FREE live stream: YouTube (in most countries)

Global live streams: Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar (IN) | CCTV (CH) | BT Sport (UK)

Watch anywhere: try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free

The stage was set for an Indian to get this chance since yesterday when Kidambi Srikanth came through the all-Indian semi against countryman Lakshya Sen. It was 12th seed's experience that told, though as the 28-year-old walked out the 17-21, 21-14, 21-17 victor. Singapore's Loh Kean Yew will be a very different challenge.

Malaysian-born Loh Kean Yew has a big story of his own, of course. The 24-year-old was Singapore's flag bearer at the Tokyo Olympics and though he hasn't got to the Championship final before, he has two BWF World Tour final wins and five in the International Series.  With an impressive hot streak over the last few months, Singapore could well be the ones to see their first ever badminton world champion.

The BWF World Championships men's singles final was scheduled to start at 5pm IST (11.30am / 6.30am ET) but, despite delays, will get underway shortly. You can watch a Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew live stream on Star Sports 2 (HD) and Star Sports 3 in India or Star Sports. It's available on BT Sport in the UK but free in most territories on YouTube. Make sure to use a VPN if required.

How to watch a FREE Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew live stream

100% free Badminton World Championships live stream on YouTube

If you don't live in a country where the tournament is being shown by a big-name broadcaster, the good news is that many people can get a 100% free Badminton World Championships live stream on YouTube.

YouTube is, of course, completely free to watch and compatible with pretty much any internet-connected device out there. 

Just bear in mind that Badminton World Championships coverage will be restricted in most countries where the tournament is being shown by local broadcasters (places like India and the UK). 

Play gets underway at 5pm IST / 7.30pm SGT. That's 11.30 am GMT or 6.30am ET.

If you're abroad right now and still want to keep up with a badminton live stream on YouTube, you'll need a VPN (as explained below). Otherwise, you'll be limited to the highlights.

How to watch Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew from outside your country

We've set out below the ways you can live stream Badminton World Championships action in a number of countries around the world. However, if you're away travelling for work or pleasure, you probably won't be able to tune in like you normally would at home.

That's the result of geo-blocking - best understood as digital borders that restrict certain services and content to certain parts of the world. A good streaming VPN can let you get around these digital borders, while also offering robust protection from cybercriminals and government snooping.

Use a VPN to live stream badminton from anywhere

ExpressVPN is the world's top VPN right now

ExpressVPN is the world's top VPN right now
We've taken the time to try out all the biggest VPN providers and we found ExpressVPN to be the pick of the bunch. It works with lots of devices and offers super fast connections across its many servers. 

Throw in its robust set of security features and ExpressVPN is the best all-round VPN for streaming - and perhaps best of all, it has a 30-day money back guarantee plus 3 months FREE when you subscribe for a year.

Access ExpressVPN via your laptop, iPhone, tablet, Android phone, PlayStation, Xbox and plenty more. Express is a do-it-all service that also benefits from 24/7 customer support.

- Try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free for 30 days

How to use a VPN

Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...

1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN

2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location

3. Go to the broadcaster's live stream - so, in this case, just head to YouTube

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Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew live stream 2021: how to watch badminton online in India

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Star Sports subscribers in India can watch the Badminton World Championships live either via the Star Sports TV channels or by getting a Disney+ Hotstar streaming subscription.

Disney Plus Hotstar plans start at Rs 499 for the VIP package, and the all-access content plan costs Rs 1,499.

Live coverage of the badminton is scheduled for 5pm IST but expect delays if the other finals overrun.

Those of you wanting to live stream Badminton World Championships action on the move will need to use the Hotstar app, which is available via the web, Android, iOS, and Apple TV.

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(Image credit: Future)

How to watch a Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew live stream in China

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Badminton fans based in China can tune into the 2021 Badminton World Championships on CCTV China, specifically CCTV5+.

Play gets underway at 4pm CST on most days of the tournament, but you'll need to keep an eye on CCTV's TV schedule, as the channel's coverage varies from day to day.

If there are any internet-related obstacles in your way or if you want to access your preferred feed from outside of China, you can use a VPN to watch the badminton wherever you are.

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How to watch Kidambi Srikanth vs Loh Kean Yew live stream in the UK

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The 2021 Badminton World Championships is being shown on BT Sport in the UK, with live coverage typically starting at 8am GMT and running deep into the evening. 

Don't forget that a £25 BT Sport Monthly Sports pass is now available, so you can get all that badminton goodness without a long-term commitment.

The BT Sport app will let subscribers watch the baseball on any number of devices, including mobiles, tablets, consoles and smart TVs.

If you find yourself outside the UK and want to watch the Badminton World Championships like you would at home, don't worry about geo-blocks on your account – simply grab a VPN and follow the instructions above to live stream the action. 

Aatif Sulleyman
Aatif Sulleyman

Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.