World Table Tennis (WTT) is ushering in a bold new era for its events, unveiling landmark decisions to elevate the prestige of the WTT Series while ensuring a balanced approach to player well-being and career sustainability.
 
These latest enhancements build on the significant changes introduced in December 2024 as part of the 2025 WTT Series Handbook, reinforcing WTT’s commitment to creating the best possible playing environment for athletes at all levels.
 
Greater Flexibility: Mandatory Participation Rule Adjustments
 
In a major shift aimed at providing greater flexibility for athletes, WTT has decided to immediately remove the mandatory participation requirement for all WTT Grand Smashes. This means that players will be invited according to the current regulations to the remaining three WTT Grand Smashes in 2025—the United States Smash (3 – 13 July), Europe Smash (14 – 24 August), and China Smash (25 September – 5 October).
 
Additionally, players will now be granted two annual exemptions from WTT Champions event participation, allowing them to manage their schedules and planning better, commencing from WTT Champions Incheon (1 – 6 April) onwards.
 
USD 1 Million Prize Money Boost
 
Building on the already significant prize money increases for 2025, the WTT Board has approved an additional USD 1 million to further reward top performances and strengthen financial incentives across all event tiers. This investment bolsters the total prize money increase across the WTT Series, reinforcing WTT’s commitment to elevating player earnings.
 
Doubles Prize Money Distribution – USD 500,000
An additional USD 500,000 will be allocated to men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events across the WTT Series, ensuring greater financial recognition for doubles players:
 

• Grand Smash: USD 50,000 per event
• Star Contender: USD 25,000 per event
• Contender: USD 15,000 per event 

WTT Finals Prize Money Boost – USD 500,000
USD 500,000 will be added to the WTT Finals, bringing the total prize pool to USD 1.3 million, further enhancing the stakes at the season-ending event.
 
Increased Singles Champions’ Prize Share
The prize share for singles champions will now rise to 15% of the total event purse, significantly increasing the prestige and financial reward of title victories.
 
These latest enhancements further establish the WTT Series as one of the most rewarding and financially competitive circuits in professional table tennis.
 
Golden Ticket for Olympic Gold Medallists
 
Olympic gold medallists will be granted a prestigious opportunity to compete in all four WTT Grand Smashes and six WTT Champions events, ensuring they remain at the heart of the WTT Series. This special privilege will be valid for four years following their Olympic triumph, celebrating their achievement and elevating the competition.
 
WTT is finalizing the implementation of this rule in the WTT Handbook, with the first eligible event being WTT Champions Incheon 2025 (1 – 6 April).
 
Enhancing the Competition Format
 
The WTT Board is also exploring the incorporation of more best-of-seven matches into the event format to enhance the competition experience. This potential change aligns with international event standards, including the Olympic Games, ensuring consistency across the sport’s biggest stages.
 
By increasing the number of best-of-seven matches, WTT aims to:

• Deliver high-intensity battles from start to finish.
• Provide players with greater playing opportunities at events, ensuring their participation is more meaningful rather than being cut short by an early exit in a best-of-five format.
• Enhance storytelling and audience engagement, allowing fans to experience extended, high-quality matchups.
• Additionally, WTT is also reviewing the number of seeded players in WTT Series events, to create a more balanced and competitive playing field.

WTT is currently evaluating how best to integrate these format updates into the WTT Handbook and will provide further details in due course.
 
Building on 2025 WTT Series Innovations
 
These latest enhancements follow the key structural and financial improvements introduced in December 2024 as part of the 2025 WTT Series Handbook.
 
Higher Stakes, Greater Prestige
Competition has been redefined with six WTT Champions events featuring the Top 32 men’s and women’s players, delivering high-stakes matchups throughout the season. The WTT Finals will also introduce Mixed Doubles, replacing traditional doubles to bring a fresh, dynamic twist to the season finale.
 
Expanding Pathways for Rising Stars

• WTT Youth Nominations now provide greater access to top-tier competition for young players, ensuring a clear pathway to elite-level competition. 

Innovative Competition Formats Introduced

• Onsite doubles entry allows players to form new pairings during events, fostering greater adaptability and unpredictability in doubles competition.
• Alternative competition formats at WTT Contender events create more matches and greater strategic variety.

Stronger Player Support & Scheduling Refinements

• Expanded physiotherapy services at every WTT Series event ensure world-class care throughout the season.
• Refined scheduling strategies minimize travel strain, allowing players more time for recovery and preparation.

Looking ahead, WTT remains dedicated to further enhancing event conditions for players and aligning the 2026 calendar with ITTF competitions, as well as continental, national, and club events to optimize scheduling and participation.
 
Leadership Committed to Elevating Table Tennis
 
Petra Sörling, ITTF President: “Players are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to listening to their feedback. I am delighted to see World Table Tennis implementing these positive changes, demonstrating our collective ability to address concerns genuinely, collaboratively, and swiftly.”
 
Liu Guoliang, WTT Chair of the Board: “The feedback from players and stakeholders has been invaluable, reaffirming our commitment to continuously evolving the WTT Series. These changes reflect our dedication to making table tennis more exciting, rewarding, and player-focused. We sincerely thank the Task Force for their efforts and the entire table tennis community for their constructive input.”
 
Steve Dainton, WTT Chief Executive Officer: “WTT was created to elevate the professional pathway for players. Our product has reached a maturity where we are confident in its success and can afford these changes. This outcome is a win-win for both players and WTT. Today’s decisions will be welcomed by the players while making our premium events even stronger.”
 
With these transformative updates, WTT is reinforcing its mission to create a world-class competition structure that honors its athletes while driving fan engagement around the globe.