Astana, Kazakhstan, is set to make history as it prepares to host the prestigious ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals in 2027. This momentous decision, announced at the ITTF Annual General Meeting in Doha, Qatar, marks the first time this flagship event will be held in Central Asia, signaling a significant expansion of table tennis’s global reach.
Kazakhstan secured the coveted hosting rights with a decisive victory in the final round of voting, garnering 54.68% of the votes, comfortably defeating France, which received 45.32%. The United States was eliminated in the initial round, while Brazil, another strong contender, strategically withdrew its bid to back Kazakhstan and channel its efforts towards securing the 2029 edition of the championships. This voting outcome underscores the international table tennis community’s strong confidence in Kazakhstan’s capability to deliver a world-class championship experience in a new and exciting region for the sport.
During Kazakhstan’s compelling bid presentation, Daniyar Abulgazin, President of the Kazakhstan Table Tennis Federation, emphasized the nation’s steadfast dedication to fostering the sport’s development and its proven track record in organizing global-scale events. “This is more than an ambitious goal. It’s our sincere belief in the power of sport to unite people, cross borders, and inspire generations,” Abulgazin stated. “It is our contribution to the development of global table tennis as a dynamically evolving activity and as an engaged member of the international ITTF family.”
The selection of Astana aligns with the ITTF’s ongoing commitment to broaden table tennis’s global footprint. Bringing the World Championships to Central Asia for the very first time presents new avenues for regional development and truly exemplifies the sport’s international character.
Kazakhstan’s successful bid is a testament to the nation’s rising prominence in international sport and its substantial investment in world-class sporting infrastructure, capable of accommodating premier global events.
The ITTF World Championships Finals 2027 in Kazakhstan is anticipated to be a landmark event. It will not only introduce Central Asian audiences to the pinnacle of table tennis competition but also provide an invaluable platform for the region’s emerging talent to compete on home soil against the world’s elite players.
