The ITTF World Para Table Tennis Championships 2026 will make history when 165 male and 165 female athletes compete in Pattaya from 23-29 November, marking the first time the championships have achieved complete gender equality.
This groundbreaking milestone coincides perfectly with the ITTF’s centenary celebrations, creating what promises to be a special ITTF World Para Championships in the sport’s history.
The achievement of full gender parity represents the culmination of decades of development in Para table tennis. For the first time in the championship’s history, male and female athletes will have equal representation at the sport’s pinnacle event.
The 330-athlete field will contest 37 medal events across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions, spanning wheelchair (classes 1-5), standing (classes 6-10), and intellectual impairment (class 11) categories.
The championship structure ensures comprehensive medal opportunities:
- Singles Events: 11 male and 11 female classifications
- Doubles Competition: Five male events (MD4, MD8, MD14, MD18, MD22) and five female events (WD5, WD10, WD14, WD20, WD22) utilise innovative class combination systems.
- Mixed Doubles: Seven events (XD4, XD7, XD10, XD14, XD17, XD20, XD22) celebrate the sport’s inclusive nature.
Athletes will earn their places through a comprehensive five-tier system:
- Continental Championships – Winners from 2025 championships in Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania
- World Rankings – Top-ranked players who haven’t already qualified
- Under-23 Development – Best young players to encourage future stars
- Doubles Specialists – Top-ranked doubles pairs earn separate qualification
- Invitations – Additional places to ensure all events have enough competitors
Thailand’s selection as host reflects their exceptional contribution to Para table tennis development. Since Rungroj Thainiyom’s breakthrough gold at London 2012 sparked the nation’s Para table tennis revolution, Thailand has consistently demonstrated world-class hosting capabilities.
Recent successes, including the ITTF Paralympic World Singles Qualification Tournament 2024 in Pattaya and multiple Para Circuit events, have proven Thailand’s ability to deliver competitions of the highest standard. The nation’s passionate support and renowned hospitality provide the perfect backdrop for this historic celebration.
Achieving complete gender equality during the ITTF’s centenary year creates profound symbolic significance. As table tennis celebrates 100 years of global governance, this milestone demonstrates the sport’s evolution into a truly inclusive worldwide movement.
The World Para Championships, held every four years since 1990, have grown from modest origins to become one of sport’s most prestigious gatherings. This ninth edition promises to be the most significant yet.
Thailand stands ready to welcome the world, combining exceptional facilities with passionate support to create an unforgettable experience. As the ITTF celebrates its centenary and Para table tennis achieves complete gender equality, Pattaya 2026 will be remembered as the championship that redefined what our sport can achieve.
