The countdown to the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban 2023 has officially reached the one-month mark! Table tennis fans from around the world are eagerly anticipating the start of the event, where the world’s most elite table tennis players will come together to compete for the championship titles.  

As the days wind down to the start of the competition, players are making their final preparations and fans are eagerly making their travel plans to witness this unforgettable sporting event. 

ITTF President Petra Sörling expressed her excitement at welcoming representatives from all over the world.

“Last time the World Championships was played on the African continent was 1939 when the city of Cairo in Egypt hosted our finest and most grand event. A memorable milestone from the event was the Egypt Cup, a trophy that was bestowed upon the sport of table tennis by Egypt’s King Farouk and made of the finest of silver. It was decided there and then that the trophy would be given each year to the host city to symbolize the friendship that characterizes the championships. Now, we are extremely happy to once again be back in Africa and this time it is South Africa and the city of Durban that will host this magnificent event. We look forward to enjoying the excitement and beauty of our sport and having the pleasure of meeting all our friends in the global table tennis family. Furthermore, the possibility of being able to play an event without restrictions should, in these times, not be taken for granted. I am absolutely certain that history will be made for many reasons, and I am sure and that I am speaking on everyone’s behalf when I say that we simply cannot wait until the end of May when the South African Table Tennis Board and the city of Durban opens up its gates and welcomes the world.” — Petra Sörling

This is indeed the first time since 1939 that the World Championships is hosted on African soil, a significant milestone in the history of the sport. With the vibrant and diverse culture of South Africa on display, players and fans can expect a truly unique experience that goes beyond just the game.  

The ITTF’s unwavering commitment to promoting and developing table tennis globally is more evident than ever as the world prepares for this monumental event. Durban’s warm embrace of this championship serves as a testament to the sport’s surging popularity and limitless potential for the future. 

Khalil Al-Mohannadi, ITTF Senior Executive Vice President in charge of World Championships, said, “I am delighted to see Africa host the World Championships for the first time in 84 years. This is an extremely symbolic event, one that will celebrate the rich culture of its host and push the boundaries of our sport. The players are the best ambassadors for table tennis and will inspire the youth of South African and beyond. We want to thank you for your commitment to our sport.”  

Scheduled from 20 to 28 May 2023, the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals will see the world’s best players, vying for the coveted title of World Champion in their respective categories. The main venue is Durban International Convention Center, which will be turned into a sport arena during the event, with eight competition tables in two halls. 

Find out which players are headed to Durban 2023 

The ITTF, the South African Table Tennis Board and the LOC will continue doing their best to make the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban 2023 a memorable experience for players and fans alike. 

“The ITTF is wholly dedicated to supporting the event in every way we can,” said Steve Dainton, ITTF Group CEO.  “We will be activating a large number of staff to help with the operations, with some of them already in Durban.”   

The ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2023 will showcase men’s and women’s singles, as well as men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events. For eight days, 128 singles players and 64 doubles pairs will participate in a knockout competition, with the aim of being crowned the world champions in their respective categories.