Table tennis: Breaking down the numbers

The World Table Tennis Championships get underway this week in London.  

Since the first tournament was held in 1926, the sport has grown to become one of the world's most popular pastimes. 

CGTN Europe visited the eBaTT table tennis centre in north west London, to find out why the sport has become so popular with both casual and serious club players.

A global game

Table tennis is one of the world's most played sports. 

The International Table Tennis Federation estimates around 300 to 350 million professionals and amateurs regularly play worldwide.

That's nearly 100 million more than football, which can count on 265 million regular players. 

And three times more than the "other" tennis, played with rackets, which boasts around 106 million.

CGTN spoke to Sammy Kaye, a coach at the eBaTT club, who says the secret to table tennis' popularity is simple.

"It's just so addictive, it feels really good to connect with the ball, get spin and then on the next ball hit as hard as you can, past your opponent it's such a good feeling."

China's dominance 

Despite its growing popularity in the UK, China still leads the world of table tennis, by quite some distance.

It is estimated that the country has around 15 million licensed or professional players.

That depth of talent has allowed China to completely dominate table tennis at the Olympics.

After the sport made its debut in 1988 China has won 37 out of the 42 gold medals on offer.

Raising the profile

17-year-old Max Radiven is one of the rising stars of British table tennis and is also a member of the eBaTT club.  

He told CGTN Europe the rise in the number of clubs like his was a big factor in helping the sport grow in the UK.

"I think it's really important for clubs like this to be around for awareness in England of how amazing table tennis is.

"I think people don't really realise how special the sport is."

A big money sport? 

As well as participation, the sport is also growing in terms of revenue.

In 2025 global sales for table tennis equipment generated $4.83bn dollars.

Meanwhile, professional commercial revenues for the sport's governing bodies tripled to over $52m compared to pre-pandemic 2019 figures.

So 100 years after the International Table Tennis Federation was born, the sport is breaking away from the historical dominance of a few countries.

That increasing global competitiveness means the future is looking very bright for table tennis.