Olympic Qualification Takes Centre Stage As ITTF Sets 2027 World Cups
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
THE International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has announced the dates and host cities for its 2027 World Cup competitions, with China, Macao and France set to host major events ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Chengdu, in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, will stage the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup from 28 November to 5 December 2027.
The tournament will carry added significance because its results will, for the first time, count towards qualification for the LA28 Olympic Games.
Mixed Team table tennis will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles. It will also become the sixth medal event in the sport’s Olympic programme.
Chengdu has hosted the Mixed Team World Cup since the competition began in 2023. China has won every edition held in the city.
Meanwhile, Macao will host the inaugural ITTF Doubles World Cup from 19 to 25 April 2027.
The competition will feature men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Its timing comes as men’s and women’s doubles return to the Olympic programme at LA28 alongside mixed doubles.
The ITTF said the 2027 calendar forms part of preparations for the expanded table tennis programme at the Los Angeles Games.
The Olympic competition will feature six medal events, increasing the sport’s presence at the Games.
France will also play host to one of the 2027 World Cups. Montpellier is scheduled to stage the Singles World Cup from 29 March to 4 April.
With the three events spread across Europe and Asia, the 2027 calendar will provide a major build-up to table tennis competition at LA28.
