Rio de Janeiro to host 2029 World Table Tennis Championships

Rio de Janeiro was selected on Tuesday (May 27) to host the 2029 World Table Tennis Championships. The announcement was made during the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) general assembly in Doha, Qatar. For the first time, the event will take place in a city in the Americas. Rio competed against Berlin (), San José (United States), and an unnamed city in China.

The decision came after three rounds of voting, with Rio de Janeiro defeating China 131 to 68 in the final round. Prior to the vote, a presentation showcased Rio’s capital and culture, featuring speeches from Mayor Eduardo Paes, Brazilian Olympic Committee President Marco La Porta, and recent world runner-up Hugo Calderano.

“We’re hosting the biggest World Championships ever. Brazil has made great strides in table tennis thanks to the dedicated efforts of the CBTM, coaches, athletes, and the entire sports community. Rio will warmly welcome the world once again with open arms,” said Vilmar Schindler, president of the Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation (CBTM), who attended the assembly in Doha.

Last Sunday (25), Rio de Janeiro’s Hugo Calderano won a historic silver medal at the World Championships in Doha—an unprecedented achievement in a tournament traditionally dominated by Asian and European players.

While in Doha, Alaor Azevedo, special advisor to CBTM and vice president of ITTF, celebrated the selection of Rio as host.

“For the first time, the World Table Tennis Championships are coming to the Americas—and it had to be in the Cidade Maravilhosa (Wonderful City), our Olympic capital. We thank ITTF and the international table tennis community for their trust. We’re going to deliver an unforgettable championship,” said Azevedo.