- The event marks the return of the ITTF World Cup after a three-year hiatus.
- It will feature 48 male and 48 female table tennis players from around the world competing for the championship.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao 2024 presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group is set to take place from 15 to 21 April at Galaxy Arena. Tickets went on sale on 22 March with the highly anticipated semi-finals and finals selling out within seconds of release.
A press conference was held on 19 March to announce the event details and ticketing arrangements, including a ceremonial flag handover for the tournament. Distinguished guests at the press conference included Mounir Bessah, Deputy Secretary General of ITTF; Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau; Philip Cheng, Director of Galaxy Entertainment Group; and Hoi Kong Hong, President of the Macau Table Tennis General Association.
Bessah commented that over the years, Macau has consistently embraced table tennis with open arms and has successfully hosted numerous prestigious WTT events.
Anticipation was palpable among players eager to grace the courts of Macau, which offer world-class facilities and a great experience for participants and spectators alike. Bessah expressed confidence that Macau will once again demonstrate its capacity to host table tennis events of the highest order.
Pun Weng Kun noted in his speech that sanctioning the World Cup to be held in Macau is a testimony to ITTF’s trust and recognition of Macau’s ability to host major international competitions. He promised the Bureau would leverage the synergistic effect of major sports events to promote the development of Macau’s sports industry, driving economic growth in sports tourism and related sectors.
Philip Cheng said the ITTF World Cup will be relaunched and debuted in Macau this year with the event providing a glamorous addition to Macau’s growing portfolio of international sports events. It will become a significant driver for the city’s sports industry as well as being the first top-tier international table tennis tournament to be held at the Galaxy Arena.
The professional, cutting-edge equipment and amenities of Galaxy Arena, along with GEG’s “World Class, Asian Heart” service philosophy, will undoubtedly elevate the event’s exceptional experience and further promote Macau as a “City of Sports” to the world.
The ITTF World Cup Macao 2024 will feature 48 male and 48 female table tennis players from around the world, including the winner of the 2023 Men’s Table Tennis World Championships, Fan Zhendong, and women’s champion Sun Yingsha.
The reigning World U19 champions are also expected to join the competition as a way to elevate young players to the global stage of the World Cup.
The first stage of the tournament will be held from 15 to 17 April, followed by the knockout rounds on 18 and 19 April, semi-finals on 20 April and the final on 21 April.
Marking the return of the ITTF World Cup after a three-year hiatus, the event is sanctioned by ITTF, organized by the Sports Bureau, Galaxy Entertainment Group and World Table Tennis Management Group Limited (WTMG), and co-organized by the Macau Table Tennis General Association.
The ITTF World Cup is one of the sport’s “Grand Slam” events (Olympics, World Championships, World Cup), making this edition in Macau a critical component for table tennis players aiming to achieve a personal Grand Slam.
