WTT Champions 2026 Kicks Off in Chongqing as World’s Top Players Vie for Glory

Chongqing - The world's elite table tennis players gathered in southwest China on Tuesday as WTT Champions 2026 officially got underway in Chongqing's Banan District, marking the first major international tournament on China's sporting calendar this year.

The six-day competition, running through March 15 at the Bloomage Biotech · Biohyalux ECM Arena, brings together 32 men and 32 women from around the world to compete for 1,000 WTT ranking points in what organizers are billing as a premier showdown in the sport.

Huang Maojun, vice mayor of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, declared the tournament open at a ceremony that blended cutting-edge production with local cultural heritage. The event featured an elaborate light show and a fusion performance combining the region's traditional Chuanjiang Haozi boatmen's chants with the martial rhythms of the Bayu war dance — a nod to Chongqing's rich history along the Yangtze River.

The guest list reflected the tournament's growing stature, with senior officials from WTT China, the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), and municipal authorities in attendance. Among them were Chen Xin, senior vice president of WTT China, and He Xiao, secretary-general of the CTTA.

"Chongqing has demonstrated remarkable capacity in hosting this event for two consecutive years," He Xiao said in his address. "As we enter a critical phase in China's journey toward becoming a leading sporting nation, we see tournaments like this as platforms not only for elite competition but also for promoting youth engagement and international exchange through sport."

Zhong Tao, deputy secretary of the CPC Banan District Committee and district mayor, framed the event as both an athletic contest and a cultural showcase. "This is where world-class sport meets the warmth of human connection," he said. "We want the world to see not just the fierce competition on the table, but the vibrancy of Banan and the openness of Chongqing."

To extend the tournament's reach beyond the arena, local authorities have launched the "Vibrant Banan · Racket Fiesta," a series of fan engagement activities designed to make the event more accessible to residents and visitors. Players are also expected to step outside the venue for interactive sessions with amateur enthusiasts, in what organizers describe as an effort to "let the joy of sport go viral."

China has fielded a formidable home squad, including Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha, Liang Jingkun, and Wang Manyu. They will face stiff competition from an international field vying for both a rankings boost and early-season momentum.

Play began at 11 a.m. local time on Tuesday, with matches scheduled daily through the final on March 15.