World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) has been celebrated annually in April since 2015. It is the day we celebrate table tennis, as well as the universality and social inclusiveness the sport represents. World Table Tennis Day is celebrated on 23 April, honouring Ivor Montagu, organiser of the first World Table Tennis Championships in 1926 and the founder and first president of the ITTF. WTTD celebrates the joy of playing table tennis for fun, bringing people together, focusing less on competition and more on participation and enjoyment.
Join us on 23 April 2025 to celebrate the World Table Tennis Day 2025. In 2024, we embraced the theme of “Diversity and Inclusion”, and the world came together in an unforgettable way. Over 800 events in 120 countries and territories showcased the unifying power of table tennis to break barriers, foster connections and create safe spaces for everyone.
This year, we are keeping the momentum alive. Under the same inspiring theme, we invite you to be part of a movement that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
It is a moment to recognise that diversity enriches our sporting communities, fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their gender identity, age, race, or physical capabilities, can participate and thrive. By embracing diversity and inclusion, World Table Tennis Day 2025 will aim to reinforce the principle that table tennis can become a symbol of unity, equality and mutual respect across the globe.
To amplify this message, #TTBelongsToYou campaign reminds us that table tennis is for everyone – regardless of who you are or where you come from.
Click on the image above to download the The WTTD Diversity and Inclusion Handbook - Phase 1. It offers practical insights and strategies relevant to various geographies and contexts, aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in and through table tennis.
Click on the image above to download the WTTD Diversity and Inclusion Handbook - Phase 2. It offers practical tools, inspiring stories, actionable strategies and more to foster diversity and inclusion within your community!
Since its inception in 2021, the WTTD Promoters initiative has played a pivotal role in forming the whole annual event, fostering original and sustainable celebrations in collaboration with local organisations. These initiatives aim to address various community issues and bring along social values through the power of table tennis. As a supporter, the ITTF Foundation is committed to providing the Promoters with guidance and resources to organise their WTTD initiatives on April 23, through not only financial support but also the Diversity and Inclusion handbook capacity-building workshops, and media exposure. Until now, more than 100 World Table Tennis Day Promoters from 5 continents were chosen since 2021 to expand the celebratory vibes of World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) around the globe.
Becoming a WTTD Promoter is more than just a title — it is an opportunity to use your voice, passion and skills to make an impact. Promoters play a vital role in organising WTTD events on 23 April bringing people together from different walks of life, celebrating diversity and fostering social values through table tennis.
The ITTF Foundation is currently in the selection process for the World Table Tennis Day 2025 Promoters and will announce the selected Promoters by the end of January 2025!
To further implement and practice Diversity and Inclusion in the table tennis community, the ITTF Foundation partnered with Pongmasters to launch a worldwide table-mapping initiative. Utilising the Pongmasters app, individuals are encouraged to identify and map table tennis tables within their local communities. Beyond pinpointing locations, this initiative seeks to capture key Diversity and Inclusion parameters such as wheelchair accessibility and lighting conditions. By creating a comprehensive world map of table tennis tables, the access to the game for individuals from all backgrounds and abilities will be enhanced, embodying the spirit that lies at the heart of WTTD (click here to access the step-by-step mapping guidelines).
Let's continue to spread the joy of the game and build a more inclusive world, one rally at a time. Because table tennis Belongs to YOU, and to everyone.
Register your World Table Tennis Day 2025 celebration here!
#TTBelongsToYou #TTCanChangeLives #WorldTableTennisDay #WTTD2025