LAUSANNE: World Table Tennis, the commercial arm of the International Table Tennis Federation, has opened the bidding process to host the top tier of WTT events – the WTT Series – in 2022.
The WTT Series comprises a new event structure that will feature four Grand Smashes as the pillars of the sport, eight premium single-table, single-gender WTT Champions events, the WTT Contender Series and the season-ending WTT Cup Finals.
Following the success of the inaugural WTT Contender Series in Doha in March and last year’s promotional showcase in Macao, WTT is already in talks with several cities that have expressed their interest in playing host to some of the world’s best table tennis players later this year and with several member associations and cities to host WTT events in 2022.
Despite the challenges of hosting the world-class event amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the spotlight shone brightly on the Qatar capital with the two consecutive events that took place at the Lusail Sports Arena. Players, broadcast and commercial partners and fans were treated to a brand-new presentation of table tennis with the new eight-sided court, centralised TV production and sensational event presentation. A refreshing social media content strategy brought fans closer to the event than ever before.
WTT events are designed to engage global communities by delivering a fan and entertainment centric modern sporting event allowing host cities to showcase iconic locations and landmarks to deliver extensive economic benefits for cities as the world begins its recovery from the pandemic.
“Hosting a WTT event provides an incredible opportunity to become part of a truly global sport that is in the process of being re-defined, re-imagined and re-energised,” said Stephen Duckitt, WTT Event Strategy director.
“Our new World Table Tennis structure allows host cities to showcase table tennis to their city and their city’s iconic locations and landmarks to the world. Now is the time for cities to join the change and become a part of the new era of professional table tennis,” Duckitt added.
To express an interest in hosting a 2022 WTT event, interested parties are encouraged to contact events@worldtabletennis.com for further information and host application documents.
Applications for hosting WTT Series events in 2022 will close in July (timeline subject to change).
