Chongqing - WTT Champions Chongqing 2026 will return to southwest China this March, bringing six days of elite competition and a citywide celebration of the sport to Chongqing's Banan District.
At a press conference held on February 9, officials announced that the tournament will take place from March 10 to 15 at the Bloomage Biotech Biohyalux ECM Arena in Banan District, Chongqing. He Xiao, Secretary-General of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, along with senior municipal and district officials in Chongqing, outlined preparations for the event.
File photo of the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025.
As one of the premier events on the global table tennis calendar, the tournament will once again gather the world’s top men’s and women's singles players. Organizers said the 2026 edition, held at the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), will serve as both a key benchmark for the national team’s competitive readiness and a platform to further integrate professional sport with urban development.
The event is guided by the concept of "empowering cities through sport and bringing the national game closer to the people," aiming to deliver a professional yet accessible tournament experience while deepening the synergy between competition, city life, and community engagement.
From Elite Competition to Citywide Celebration
The six-day tournament will follow a structured knockout format, beginning with the men’s and women’s singles Round of 32 on March 10 and 11, followed by the Round of 16 on March 12 and 13. The quarterfinals will take place on March 14, with the semifinals and finals staged on March 15 to conclude the competition.
Tickets will go on sale on February 9 via Damai, with full-session passes available from 2:18 p.m. and single-session tickets from 2:38 p.m. Prices range from 68 yuan (about 9 USD) to 1,488 yuan, reflecting the organizers' commitment to maintaining affordable access to a world-class event.
File photo of the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025.
Organizers emphasized that the tournament will extend far beyond the competition floor. Chongqing and Banan authorities have upgraded transport coordination, security, and volunteer services to ensure smooth operations, while promoting a "civilized viewing" culture.
A fan interaction zone outside the venue will allow the public to engage with the event free of charge, bringing top-tier table tennis closer to local residents.
During the tournament, athletes and coaches will also visit parks, schools, and communities to interact with grassroots players and participants in locally popular leagues. The initiative aims to weave table tennis more deeply into everyday urban life and strengthen the city’s culture of mass participation in sport.
Cultural, Tourism, and Consumption Boost
According to Zhong Tao, Mayor of Banan District, the district is hosting the event for the third consecutive year and has planned a series of complementary activities to amplify its impact.
A fan event will be held at Huaxi Football Stadium, featuring large LED screens broadcasting live matches, along with food and cultural showcases highlighting local intangible heritage cuisine and creative products.
Two curated city walk routes will also be arranged for participating athletes, offering them an opportunity to explore Chongqing's cultural and natural landscapes.
File photo of the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025.
Across the district, a spring-themed "Ping Pong City Quest" will connect ten urban landmarks through interactive check-in activities, while themed travel routes invite visitors to explore Banan‘s mountains and waterfront scenery alongside the tournament experience.
Ticket holders will enjoy additional benefits through a "ticket stub privileges" program, which provides discounts at major shopping centers and attractions, promoting the concept of "one ticket, full access to Banan."
Sport as an Engine of Urban Development
Officials noted that WTT Champions Chongqing has become a key driver of the city's competitive sports development. Since 2024, Banan has hosted 121 large-scale sports and performance events with over 5,000 participants each, ranking fifth nationwide and accounting for 70 percent of similar events citywide.
The district has also leveraged major tournaments to accelerate sports infrastructure development and grassroots participation. Public spaces, including parks, communities, and riverside promenades, have been equipped with table tennis facilities, bringing the average per capita sports venue area to 3.85 square meters. More than 50 percent of residents now engage in regular exercise, and the district’s national fitness qualification rate stands at 94.25 percent—among the highest in Chongqing.
School programs promoting table tennis have expanded steadily, with seven key schools designated as training bases. Since 2019, Banan has sent more than ten young athletes annually to municipal professional teams, marking a roughly 30 percent increase over previous years.
File photo of the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025.
Zhang Zhouyong, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Sports Bureau, said the tournament has become a strategic engine for advancing the city's sports industry. By continuing to host international events such as WTT Champions Chongqing, upgrading homegrown sports brands and strengthening regional cooperation within the Chengdu-Chongqing sports industry alliance, the city aims to build a multi-tier competition system and expand "sports-plus" consumption scenarios.
Through these efforts, officials said, the flow of international competition will translate into sustained participation in grassroots sport and long-term growth in the sports economy—ensuring that all residents share the benefits of development.