World Table Tennis (WTT) has unveiled transformative changes for the 2025 season, aimed at enhancing competition, visibility, and opportunities for players worldwide. This revamp includes increased prize money, a new qualification path for the WTT Finals, and expanded player entry opportunities across event tiers.
Expansion of the Champions Series
The top tier WTT Champions events will expand, with the world’s top 32 male and female players now competing in six WTT Champions events annually. This adjustment is set to elevate the competitive landscape and offer fans a more exciting, consistent lineup of top talent.
Increased Prize Money for Multiple Tiers
Prize pools will be significantly boosted across various WTT events:
- WTT Feeder Series: Prize money will increase by 34%, with minimum rewards set at USD 30,000.
- WTT Star Contender Events: The prize pool will rise by 10%, reaching USD 275,000.
- WTT Contender Events: A 6.2% increase will bring prizes to USD 85,000 per event.
- WTT Finals: The season-ending event’s prize pool will jump by 14.3%, reaching USD 800,000, creating higher stakes for players.
- WTT Grand Smash and Champions Events: Prize pools will remain at minimum of USD 1,500,000 and USD 500,000, respectively.
Revamped Qualification for the WTT Finals
In 2025, the WTT Finals will adopt a new structure based on the WTT Series Finals Rankings. Qualification will require consistent performance across multiple event tiers, including WTT Grand Smash, Champions, and Contender Series events.
Mixed Doubles will also be introduced in the Finals, featuring the top 7 pairs plus a host wildcard entry. The event will follow a group stage format, with the top two pairs from each group advancing to knockout semifinals. This replaces the previous men’s and women’s doubles events, bringing a fresh dynamic to the season’s curtain closer.
Onsite Doubles Entry for Enhanced Flexibility
Players will now be able to form doubles pairs onsite, prior to the main doubles draw, allowing for more dynamic partnerships and wider participation options.
Opportunities for Top 20 and Youth Players
Reflecting WTT’s commitment to nurturing talent, there will be an increase in PDR spots for Top 20 players at WTT Star Contenders and Contender events. Additionally, youth players will gain enhanced entry opportunities through WTT Youth Nominations across various events, encouraging the growth of future stars.
Expanded Match Formats
WTT Contender Series organizers can now choose between group or larger knockout formats for singles qualification, providing players with more matches and varied competition structures.
Looking Forward to 2025
These developments mark an exciting phase for WTT, promising increased competition, higher rewards, and expanded opportunities for both established and emerging players. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating 2025 season filled with intense, high-stakes matches and new competitive storylines.