The table tennis world steps into 2025 with anticipation building for another milestone year in the sport’s history. At the forefront of this exciting calendar stands the return of the World Championships Finals to Doha, as the Middle East prepares to welcome the world’s elite players for what promises to be an unprecedented celebration of table tennis excellence.
Doha Takes Centre Stage
Twenty years after first making history as the Middle East’s inaugural World Championships host, Doha is set to write a new chapter in table tennis history. From 17-25 May 2025, the state-of-the-art Lusail Sports Arena will welcome the world’s elite players for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025.
The championships will feature 128-player main draws in both the Men’s and Women’s Singles events, alongside 64-pair main draws for the Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles events. This comprehensive format ensures another spectacular World Championships, as Doha continues to establish itself as a premier destination for international table tennis.
From Durban to Doha
After the historic ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban 2023, which provided unforgettable moments and spectacular achievements, the stage is set for another exciting chapter in Qatar. The 2025 edition promises to deliver compelling storylines and exceptional table tennis as the world’s elite gather in Doha.
Next Generation Ready for Romania
As the calendar year draws to a close, the focus will shift to Cluj-Napoca, Romania, host of the ITTF World Youth Championships 2025 (23-30 November). Following the historic achievements witnessed at Helsingborg 2024 – where Germany’s Annett Kaufmann became the first non-Asian Under-19 Girls’ Singles champion and new milestones were set for African and Pan-American table tennis – the stage is set for another spectacular showcase of emerging talent.
The 2024 edition raised the bar with unprecedented achievements: Korea Republic’s groundbreaking team title, China’s Li Hechen claiming all four available Under-15 gold medals, whilst Iran secured its first-ever Youth Championships medal. These moments have set the stage for what promises to be a compelling championship in Romania.
With Doha’s world-class facilities preparing to welcome the sport’s finest players, and Cluj-Napoca ready to showcase the next generation of stars, 2025’s championship calendar promises to deliver unforgettable moments and continue table tennis’s global evolution.