As the “Expression of Interest” phases concluded, the ITTF unveiled today the candidates to host the upcoming Senior, Youth and Veteran World Championships events.

The level of interest is unprecedented, with a total of 16 countries from every continent officially registering their interest.

“I am delighted we received such an impressive number of bids and even more pleased by the diversity of the candidates,” said ITTF President Petra Sörling. “This underlines the global appeal of our sport at every level. As the world is reopening after two years marked by the pandemic, our Member Associations are fully aware of the positive impact of hosting an ITTF World Championships. Not only will it deliver global promotion opportunities and community engagement, it will also bring extensive and lasting economic benefits to the host.”

The ITTF has received official expressions of interest from seven (7) countries to host the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships Finals: Germany, Italy, Qatar, Spain, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America.

Held since 1926, the World Table Tennis Championships is the biggest and most prestigious table tennis event of the year, with high historical significance and high interest globally from players, fans, media and partners. It is a festival globally promoting all facets of the sport and its host.

The new revamped format of the World Table Tennis Championships Finals, with 128 players in Singles and 64 pairs in each of the three doubles events competing in a straight knockout format, has proven to be a fantastic success in Houston, USA, last year.

While Germany, Qatar and the United States of America previously hosted the event, it would be a first for Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

The World Youth Championships is another great way to put a city in the spotlight and inspire the next generation of table tennis champions. Six (6) countries also expressed their interest in hosting the most prestigious World title event for the young players.

Hungary, Peru and Qatar are ready to welcome the sport’s brightest talents in 2023, Sweden in 2024. Slovenia and the United States of America have expressed an initial interest for 2023 and 2024.

Finally, the 2024 ITTF World Veteran Championships attracted bids from seven (7) countries: Australia, Italy, Namibia, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Slovenia and the United States of America. An event for the champions of the present and the past, the World Veteran Championships attracts thousands and provides its host with a wealth of tourism-related opportunities. This will be the first World Veteran Championships entirely managed by the ITTF, from the host city selection to the delivery of the event.

Following the closing of the expressions of interest phase, the ITTF is now through the second phase releasing the detailed requirements and additional resources to all candidates. The final bids, closing on 31 July 2022, will then be evaluated. The host cities’ selection will take place at the 2022 Annual General Meeting for the World Championships Finals, and at the 2022 Board of Directors for the World Youth Championships and World Veterans Championships.