The ITTF World Para Table Tennis Championships 2026 will make history when 165 male and 165 female athletes compete in Pattaya on November 23-29, which marks the first time that the championships have reached full gender equality.
This groundbreaking milestone coincides perfectly with the centenary of the ITTF and creates what promises to be a special ITTF World Para championships in the history of the sport.
The reach of full gender parity represents the highlight of decades of development in para -table tennis. For the first time in the history of the championship, male and female athletes will have equal representation at the Pinnacle event of the sport.
The 330 athlete field disputes 37 medal events in singles, Doubles and mixed doubles competitions, about wheelchairs (classes 1-5), standing (classes 6-10) and intellectual limitations (class 11) categories.
The championship structure ensures extensive medal opportunities:
- Singles Events: 10 Male and 10 Female Events (Classes 1, 2, 3, 4-5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11)
- Double competition: Five male events (MD4, MD8, MD14, MD18, MD22) and five female events (WD5, WD10, WD14, WD20, WD22) use innovative class combination systems.
- Mixed Doubles: Seven events (XD4, XD7, XD10, XD14, XD17, XD20, XD22) celebrate the inclusive character of the sport.
Athletes will earn their places through an extensive system with five levels:
- Continental Championships – Winners of 2025 Championships in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania
- World ranking top players who have not yet qualified
- Development among the 23-best young players to encourage future stars
- Double specialists-top ranked double pairs deserve a separate qualification
- Invitations – Extra places to ensure that all events have enough competitors
The selection of Thailand as a host reflects their exceptional contribution to the development of the Tennis table. Since the breakthrough gold of Rungroj Thainiyom in London 2012 has fueled the paragral tennis revolution of the nation, Thailand has consistently demonstrated hosting options for world class.
Recent successes, including the ITTF Paralympic World Singles Qualification Tournament 2024 in Pattaya and several Para circuit events, have proven Thailand’s ability to deliver competitions of the highest standard. The passionate support and the renowned hospitality of the nation offer the perfect background for this historic celebration.
The achievement of complete equality of gender during the centenary of ITTF creates a profound symbolic meaning. While table tennis is celebrating 100 years worldwide, this milestone shows the evolution of the sport in a truly inclusive global movement.
The World Para Championships, which have been held every four years since 1990, have grown from modest origin to become one of the most prestigious meetings in sport. This ninth edition promises to be the most important so far.
Thailand is ready to welcome the world and combine exceptional facilities with passionate support to create an unforgettable experience. While the ITTF is celebrating its Centenary and Para Table tennis, tennis achieves complete gender equality, Pattaya 2026 will be reminded as the championship that is re -defined what our sport can achieve.
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