The ITTF has firmly stepped into the Esports arena, concluding the first-ever ITTF World Esports Table Tennis Championships with a spectacular Final Stage in Helsingborg, Sweden, on 27-28 November. World No. 1 Antonin “Anto” Landreau defeated German contender Maik “Aiphaton” Reusner in an intense 3-1 match to claim the prestigious title, solidifying ITTF’s commitment to bridging traditional sports and competitive gaming. Replay the match here.
Setting a New Benchmark in Esports Table Tennis
The ITTF leveraged its deep expertise in event management to deliver a Finals experience worthy of a World Title event. Hosted at a world-class venue, the stage featured cutting-edge production that elevated the players’ performances and left a lasting impression on viewers around the globe. Through the innovative Eleven Table Tennis platform, table tennis skills merged seamlessly with virtual reality technology, creating a spectacle that points towards an exciting future for the sport.
“This event demonstrates that Esports is no longer the future—it is here, and it’s exciting,” said Petra Sörling, ITTF President. “With this inaugural World Esports Championships, we have fast-tracked our journey into esports. This event has provided insights, inspired collaboration, and laid a strong foundation for the sport’s digital evolution. The potential is limitless, and the level of competition and engagement we’ve witnessed here in Helsingborg shows that virtual table tennis can enhance and expand our beloved sport whilst maintaining its core values”
Aligned with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s vision, the ITTF World Esports Championships has positioned table tennis as a key player in the competitive gaming landscape, engaging new audiences and solidifying its role in the digital sports revolution.
IOC President Thomas Bach, in a video message, praised the initiative: “You are developing the sport and spreading the joy of table tennis to ever more people in innovative ways. By embracing Esports, you’re bringing fresh energy in your sport and, in doing so, you are also helping to spread our shared Olympic values, this time in the digital world. Building on this momentum, I can only encourage you to continue this path of digital progress.”
Two Phases, One Historic Journey
The Championships unfolded in two phases, beginning with an open, mixed-gender Online Qualifying Stage that attracted over 200 players from across the globe. This inclusive and diverse stage produced two qualifiers who joined six other elite competitors—including the top two world ranked players, a Swedish host representative, and three wildcards—in Helsingborg to compete for the first title of Esports Table Tennis World Champion.
Esports Summit: Driving Innovation and Knowledge Sharing
In conjunction with the Finals, the ITTF hosted an Esports Summit to foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration. The Summit featured presentations from key industry players, including the International Olympic Committee, game publishers, and Esports associations, alongside insights from the UN Environment Programme and academic institutions.
Podium Results
🥇 Antonin “Anto” Landreau (France): The 20-year-old sensation added the Esports World Champion title to his trophy cabinet, which already includes two French Championships and the European Championship in Düsseldorf.
🥈 Maik “Aiphaton” Reusner (Germany): The 36-year-old former World No.1 brought his extensive experience to the Finals, showcasing the skills that have defined his dominance in the virtual table tennis world.
🥉 Nicolas “Swiss11Rally” Champod (Switzerland): The Swiss qualifier made an impressive mark with his rapid ascent to the global top three, building on his elite credentials in traditional table tennis.
Looking Ahead
The ITTF World Esports Table Tennis Championships marks a pivotal moment in the sport’s history, showcasing the potential of esports to engage younger audiences, expand table tennis’ reach, and build a future where physical and digital realms coexist seamlessly.
