Gangneung City on Track for 2026 Gangneung World Masters Table Tennis Championships... 2,150 Participants from 80 Countries Registered

Gangneung City Filled with Global Excitement
Exceeds Target by 44 Percent
International Table Tennis Federation Also Gives Positive Assessment

The 2026 Gangneung World Masters Table Tennis Championships are drawing enthusiastic attention from table tennis enthusiasts around the globe. As of the end of last year, the number of participants had already exceeded the target set for this point in time.

Poster for the 2026 Gangneung World Masters Table Tennis Championships. Provided by Gangneung City

According to the tournament organizing committee, as of the end of 2025, a total of 2,150 participants from 80 countries had confirmed their participation. This figure surpasses the initial target of 1,500 participants for this period by approximately 44%.

What is particularly encouraging is the wide regional distribution of participants, with Germany leading Europe with 283 players-outpacing even nearby Japan (221) and the host country, Korea (175). Since the registration period remains open until the end of March, the number of amateur players joining from around the world is expected to increase further.

An official from Gangneung City stated, "As this tournament marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), we expect it will further strengthen Gangneung's status as an international sports tourism city."

The World Masters Table Tennis Championships is the world’s largest table tennis festival for amateur players, held biennially. This year’s Gangneung event will take place from June 5 to June 12 at the Gangneung Speed Skating Rink and Gangneung Arena, featuring men’s and women’s singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles, across five disciplines and 11 age categories (in five-year increments). Anyone aged 40 or older (born in 1986 or earlier), regardless of prior professional experience, is eligible to participate. Registration for this tournament is open until March 31 and can be completed through the official tournament website.