Benefits of being a WTT host city

WTT events are much more than a table tennis tournament. They are events that will entertain and captivate your city.

Hosting WTT events brings extensive benefits to a host city, region and country. From tangible financial and economic impacts, through increased hotel bed nights and associated spending, to destination marketing and increased levels of community engagement and social pride through volunteering, participating and spectating.

WTT is looking for national associations, host countries, cities and private entities to bid for these events aligned to their national priorities and event strategies. WTT is determined to build a strong network of partnerships across the globe to deliver an exciting future for table tennis.

An inclusive sport, table tennis does not require intensive infrastructure or equipment and is accessible to all. With entry places for host nations, staging these events will give countries and governing bodies access to elite competitions and ensure that home-grown talent will be able to participate in these highly competitive events.

Putting your city in the spotlight

WTT event hosts will enjoy the benefit of connecting into WTT’s world-class promotion team and global network of fans. WTT events will not just be promoted in the traditional way through print and digital advertising, but also through a myriad of modern promotional methods to obtain 360-degree boosting of your city through:

• Extensive global TV distribution (over 1 billion viewers for 2019 events) and world-class TV production run and managed by WTT.
• Integrated digital and social promotion through WTT’s 3.5 million fans.
• Player appearances in iconic landmarks of your city.
• Integrated TV features of your city.
• A beacon for table tennis’ global 500 million strong fan base to come and visit your city.
• Unrivalled activation for local brands to associate with global table tennis.
• Opportunities for global superstars to interact with the local community through school and hospital visits.

New events. New opportunities!

WTT has analysed the global entertainment market and liaised with all stakeholders to develop this modern event structure fit for professional table tennis players, fans, broadcasters, sponsors and, not least, the host cities and countries.

Grand Smashes

The Grand Smashes are the new pinnacle of professional table tennis. Think Wimbledon for tennis or the Masters for golf. The world’s best players competing for the biggest prizes and highest ever prize money in the sport. Held four times per year, these are the events that all players want to win and all cities want to host.

WTT is looking for four different host cities to stage the prestigious, annual Grand Smashes, each event lasting 10 days. The desire is to have brand new, purpose-built venues to provide a long-term home for these marquee events so that every year the city is taken over by a table tennis festival to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in the sport.

WTT Cup Finals & WTT Champions Series

Events purpose-built to entertain. With the whole tournament played exclusively on one table, WTT is looking for hosts to use their imagination and take the sport to unusual and inspirational locations. These could be in iconic buildings, such as New York Grand Central Station or the Giza Pyramids, theatres, nightclubs or facilities to show off a city or country at its best, ideal for destination marketing and perfect for broadcast opportunities.

The events will not only host world-class table tennis matches, but also music, dance or relevant cultural content to ensure that the events are delivered as a complete entertainment package and brand new experience for table tennis and sports fans. The enhanced broadcast and commercial income streams will benefit both WTT and the hosts.

WTT Contenders Series

These events ensure that all athletes are guaranteed a consistent platform of world-class competition, with opportunities to develop their game and rise up the world rankings.

Given the high number of participants at Contender events, they will take place in purpose-built sports venues and stadiums, allowing for a dynamic fan experience and strong broadcast product once more.

High numbers of host country entries will also ensure that host countries can maximise the number of places on offer to their national players, giving them invaluable top-level experience and development opportunities.

Experience and expertise

WTT will be welcoming on board Stephen Duckitt as WTT Event Strategy Director. Duckitt boasts more than 15 years of corporate global sports industry experience, including management and marketing of top international tennis events on the ATP World Tour and WTA International Series.

Duckitt will work alongside ITTF Competition Director, Vicky Eleftheriade, to take WTT events to the next level, ensuring the best possible experience for players and simply irresistible entertainment for fans.

Tender timeline

March 2020 – WTT releases promotional details to the market. Parties that register their interest will receive more information.

10th April 2020 – Deadline for potential hosts to submit their expression of interest.

April 2020 – WTT releases Event Manuals and Final Bid Form to those who have registered an expression of interest.

May 2020 – Potential hosts submit Final Bids.

June 2020 – WTT evaluates Final Bids.

June 2020 – WTT confirms hosts for 2021 events.

June 2020 – WTT coordinates with potential hosts to conduct site inspections.

July 2020 – WTT confirms commercial package.

* Timeline subject to change.

For more information, contact us at [email protected].