Table tennis is a global sport governed by numerous international and regional competitions. These events provide platforms for players of all levels to compete, from youth to elite athletes, across various categories such as team events, individual competitions, and para-sport categories.
International Competitions
- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF): The ITTF oversees the organization of international table tennis tournaments, ensuring fair play and promoting the sport worldwide.
Major Global Competitions
- Olympic Games: Table tennis has been a part of the Summer Olympics since 1988, featuring singles and team events for both men and women.
- Paralympic Games: Paralympic table tennis is open to athletes with physical disabilities, offering a platform for competitive play at the international level.
- Youth Olympic Games: This event gives young athletes the opportunity to compete in a global multi-sport event.
- World Table Tennis Championships: The highest-level competition in the sport, held annually. Includes singles, doubles, and team categories.
- World Team Championships
- World Junior Championships
- World Para Championships
World Cups & World Tours
- Table Tennis World Cup: A prestigious annual event for singles and team competitions.
- World Tour: A series of elite international table tennis tournaments held throughout the year.
- World Tour Grand Finals: The culminating event of the World Tour series, featuring the best-performing athletes.
Regional Competitions
Each continent organizes its own championships and events, fostering regional talent and competitiveness.
- Africa:
- African Championships: The highest-level table tennis competition on the African continent.
- All-Africa Games: A multi-sport event that includes table tennis.
- Asia:
- Asian Championships: Held by the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU), featuring top athletes from Asia.
- Asian Cup: A prestigious competition for the best Asian players.
- Asian Games: A multi-sport event including table tennis, held every four years.
- East Asian Games: A regional multi-sport event for East Asian nations.
- Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games): A biennial multi-sport event that includes table tennis.
- Europe:
- European Championships: Held by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU), showcasing Europe’s top players.
- Europe Top-16: A tournament for the best 16 European players.
- European Under-21 Championships: A competition designed to foster young talent.
- European Youth Championships: Showcasing Europe’s top junior players.
- European Games: A continental multi-sport event with table tennis.
- Latin America:
- Latin American Championships: The top tournament for athletes from Latin American countries.
- Latin American Cup: A competition for top-performing Latin American players.
- Pan-American Games: A major multi-sport event for athletes from the Americas.
- Latin American Youth Championships: A platform for young table tennis players in Latin America.
- North America:
- North American Championships: The highest-level competition in North America.
- Pan-American Games: This event also includes North American athletes.
- Oceania:
- Oceania Championships: The top event for players from Australia, New Zealand, and other Pacific nations.
Other Notable Competitions
- Asia-Euro Cup: A tournament featuring the best players from Asia and Europe.
- China vs. World Challenge: A special event where top Chinese players compete against the best from the rest of the world.
- Commonwealth Games: A multi-sport event for nations of the Commonwealth, including table tennis.
- Commonwealth Championships: A dedicated table tennis event for Commonwealth nations.
- Lusophony Games: A multi-sport event for Portuguese-speaking nations, including table tennis.
Universiade: A global multi-sport event for university athletes, featuring table tennis.