.svg)
Get ready to pick up those paddles and celebrate World Table Tennis Day on April 23! This day is dedicated to the sport that has been entertaining people all over the world for over a century. Did you know that table tennis was originally invented as an indoor alternative to lawn tennis? And it wasn't until 1988 when it became an official Olympic sport. Today, it continues to be a fun and fast-paced game loved by both professional athletes and casual players alike. So gather your friends and family, set up a table, and let the games begin!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1880s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Table Tennis Inception</div><div class='timeline-text'>Table tennis was invented in England as a parlour game for the upper class as a casual indoor alternative to lawn tennis.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1901</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Ping Pong Trademark</div><div class='timeline-text'>The name 'Ping Pong' was trademarked in Britain, restricting the term's use commercially to Parker Brothers' products and leading to the sport's universal name: table tennis.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1926</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Formation of ITTF</div><div class='timeline-text'>The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was established, governing all international table tennis associations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1988</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Olympic Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Table tennis was introduced as an official sport in the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First World Table Tennis Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>ITTF organized the first World Table Tennis Day to promote the sport worldwide.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a table tennis tournament</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends or colleagues and organize a table tennis tournament to celebrate World Table Tennis Day. You can even make it more fun by creating team names and dressing up in themed costumes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a professional table tennis match</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local listings for any professional table tennis matches happening on World Table Tennis Day and go cheer on your favorite players. It's a great way to support the sport and have some fun.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a ping pong potluck</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite some friends over for a ping pong potluck! Everyone can bring their favorite dish to share and take breaks to play some table tennis in between bites. It's a perfect combination of food and fun.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Try out different table tennis tables</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Visit different places that have table tennis tables such as parks, community centers, and recreation areas. This is a great way to discover new spots to play and meet other table tennis enthusiasts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a table tennis documentary</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and watch a table tennis documentary to learn more about the sport and its history. It's a great way to appreciate the game and celebrate World Table Tennis Day in a more educational way.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a great way to stay active and fit</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Table tennis is a fast-paced, high-intensity sport that requires quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination. Playing it regularly can help improve your agility, balance, and overall physical fitness. With World Table Tennis Day, you have the perfect excuse to get out there and play some games!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a social sport</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Table tennis is a great way to meet new people and make friends. Whether you're playing a casual game with friends or joining a local club, table tennis brings people together through the universal language of sports.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It can be played by people of all ages and abilities</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the greatest things about table tennis is that it can be played by anyone - young or old, beginner or expert. It's an inclusive sport that welcomes players from all walks of life, making it a perfect activity for World Table Tennis Day!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Table Tennis Balls were Initially Made of Cork</h3><p class='facts-content'>The first table tennis balls were made of cork and covered in fabric. However, modern table tennis balls are made of celluloid or similar plastics and are much bouncier!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Fastest Smash Recorded in Table Tennis was Over 69 mph</h3><p class='facts-content'>Recorded by Thomas Jennewein of Germany in 2015, this incredible smash serves to illustrate the high speed nature of the game!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>A Single Game of Table Tennis Can Last Over Two Hours</h3><p class='facts-content'>Table tennis games are normally quite fast but the longest game in history went on for 2 hours and 12 minutes during the 1936 World Championships!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Table Tennis Played a Significant Role in International Diplomacy</h3><p class='facts-content'>In 1971, a series of matches between US and China paved the way for President Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972, an event known as "Ping Pong Diplomacy".</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Table Tennis is the Most Popular Racket Sport Worldwide</h3><p class='facts-content'>With approximately 850 million players worldwide, table tennis is the most popular racket sport on the planet, overshadowing tennis and badminton.</p></div></div>
World Table Tennis Day is celebrated on April 23 every year. In 2024 World Table Tennis Day will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Apr 23
Sunday
2024
Apr 23
Tuesday
2025
Apr 23
Wednesday
2026
Apr 23
Thursday
2027
Apr 23
Friday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
