Table Tennis Centenary World Championships Awarded To London

London will host the World Team Table Tennis Championships, exactly 100 years after the city staged the first World Championships – alongside the foundation of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) – in 1926.

The competition will be held at the OVO Arena, Wembley, in May 2026, with practice facilities at Wembley Stadium.

It will be the first time England has hosted the Worlds since 1997 and the first time since 1954 that the championships has been held in London.

Delegates at the ITTF’s Annual Meeting voted for London to host the event ahead of fellow bid city Bangkok.

As well as the aim to bring the centenary championships back to ‘Where It All Began’, London’s bid was based on being the most environmentally sustainable championships to date.

Adrian Christy, Chief Executive Officer of Table Tennis England, said, “To bring the centenary World Championships back to the city where it all began is a huge honour and a massive boost for the sport in this country.

“It’s been a monumental team effort to get us this far and we are hugely grateful for the support of the Mayor of London, UK Sport, our venue partners at OVO Arena, Wembley and Wembley Stadium, our consultant partner, Onside, and the team at Table Tennis England.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, added, “I am proud that London is hosting the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships. Bringing the centenary tournament back to our great city where it began is a fantastic boost for both local sport and the economy, and it will also be the most environmentally sustainable championships to date.

“London is the sporting capital of the world, from grassroots to the elite level, and I look forward to Wembley putting on a memorable show.”

Sally Munday, Chief Executive Officer of UK Sport, commented, “Hosting major global sporting events here in the UK provides the opportunity for extraordinary sporting moments that reach, unite, and inspire the nation, and we are absolutely delighted that the British public will be able to enjoy another World Championships on their doorstep. We look forward to working with the other event hosting partners to deliver this exciting event.”

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