At the intersection of sport, community, and well-being lies a remarkable event: the World Table Tennis for Health Festival, an initiative by the International Table Tennis Federation Foundation (ITTF Foundation) and powered by Ultimate Table Tennis. This Festival celebrates how table tennis transcends competition to become a vital tool for physical, mental, and social health — especially for individuals living with neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Why It Matters to One Humanity
The Festival’s mission echoes the core values of the One Humanity campaign — inclusion, solidarity, and the power of sport to break down barriers. At its heart, the Festival shows how table tennis can bring together players, caregivers, health professionals, and researchers in a shared space of hope and understanding. It’s not just a competition — it’s a global movement to improve lives.
What Happens at the Festival
- World Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s Table Tennis Championships
The Festival includes dedicated championships for people with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, offering them a platform to compete, connect, and feel empowered. - World Table Tennis for Health Congress
Held alongside the competition, the Congress gathers health experts, scientists, caregivers, and players. It’s a knowledge-sharing space focused on the latest research, real-life experiences, and best practices for using table tennis in health contexts.
Notable Highlights & Impact
- The 2025 Festival will take place from 26–30 November in Helsingborg, Sweden, organized by the Swedish Table Tennis Association.
- In 2024, the Festival brought together 153 participants from 25 countries in Maizières-lès-Metz, France — a powerful testament to the growing global recognition of table tennis for health.
- The Congress has featured speakers from leading health bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), contributing to critical conversations around wellness and neurodegenerative disease.
A Shared Vision of Well-Being
Through the lens of One Humanity, the World Table Tennis for Health Festival embodies how sport can promote dignity, connection, and hope. It’s a reminder that health is not just an individual journey — but a shared one. By supporting and participating in this Festival, we help bridge the gap between sport and wellness, proving that table tennis truly can change lives.
