China Celebrates World Table Tennis Day 2026 with Nationwide Events and a Main Gathering in Guiyang

On 20 April 2026, China marked World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) with a vibrant series of celebrations across the country, culminating in a flagship event in Guiyang. Held in the lead-up to the global celebration on 23 April, the event also highlighted the centenary of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), a hundred years of impact through the sport.

Organised under the theme “Ping-Pong in Parks, Passion via Paddles”, the Guiyang main event brought together over a thousand table tennis enthusiasts alongside leading figures from the global and national table tennis community. Among them were Leandro Olvech, Director of the ITTF Foundation; Liu Shiwen, Olympic and world champion and Chair of the ITTF Athletes’ Commission; He Xiao, Secretary General of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA); Yuan Hua, National Fitness Department Director of CTTA; and representatives from local government authorities.

Supported by the ITTF Foundation, the event formed part of a wider nationwide activation. Between 18 and 20 April, activities took place across 29 provinces, regions, and municipalities in China, with over 100 parks hosting table tennis events and approximately 16,600 participants joining the celebration. From grassroots players to seasoned enthusiasts, people of all ages came together to celebrate the sport and its unifying power.

Bringing Table Tennis to Communities

A key highlight of the celebrations was the strong focus on community engagement and inclusion. Activities such as “Ping-Pong in Schools” saw Liu Shiwen interact directly with young people in local schools, inspiring the next generation through hands-on interaction and shared passion for the sport.

At the main venue, a spectacular “Hundred Tables, Thousand Players” challenge transformed the square into a dynamic hub of activity. With 100 tables set up simultaneously, participants aged 7 to 77 competed and connected through play, showcasing the widespread appeal of table tennis across generations.

A Celebration of Culture, Sport, and Legacy

The opening ceremony in Guiyang blended sport with local culture, featuring traditional performances that reflected the rich heritage of Guizhou province.

Messages of support from Petra Sörling, alongside Chinese table tennis leaders and national team members, underscored the global significance of this year’s celebration.

In her video message, ITTF & ITTF Foundation Petra Sörling highlighted the deeper meaning of this milestone year:

“This year is special for the entire table tennis family as we celebrate 100 years of the ITTF. As we look back on a century of our sport, moments like these remind us what table tennis is truly about — not just competition, but the joy of playing and the connections we build across communities and borders. I wish everyone a very happy World Table Tennis Day.”

Reflecting on the spirit of the celebration in China, Leandro Olvech highlighted the inclusive power of the sport:

"Here, table tennis belongs to everyone. It is played in parks and schools, in communities and neighbourhoods, by children and grandparents alike. That spirit 'table tennis for all’ is exactly what the ITTF Foundation stands for, and China has truly embedded it into everyday life."

With this year's theme of Health & Well-being in mind, Olvech also shared his excitement about the upcoming World Table Tennis for Health Festival in Shanghai — the first time the event will be held in Asia — and the deepening connection and collaboration between the ITTF Foundation and the country.

A Global Movement Gaining Momentum

China’s large-scale celebration reflects the growing global momentum behind World Table Tennis Day. By activating communities in parks, schools, and public spaces, the initiative continues to make table tennis more accessible while promoting health, inclusion, and social cohesion.

As Olvech concluded in his message: “Pick up a racket, step up to the table, and remember: Table Tennis Moves You today, and every single day.”

As the world comes together on 23 April, the energy generated in Guiyang and across China stands as a powerful example of how table tennis can connect people across cultures and generations. In this milestone year for the ITTF and under the theme of Health & Well-being, World Table Tennis Day celebrations not only honour the past 100 years but also inspire the future of the sport worldwide.