ITTF World Youth C'ships 2026 to be held in Istanbul from Nov 21-28
Lausanne, June 5
The International Table Tennis Federation on Friday said the World Youth Championships 2026 will be held in Istanbul, Turkiye, from November 21 to 28 after a change of host from Bahrain, with the event dates remaining unchanged.
The Bahrain Table Tennis Association decided to withdraw after close consultation with the ITTF, prioritising the safety and well-being of all athletes, officials, and delegations participating in the event due to the war in West Asia.
ITTF President Petra Sorling welcomed the announcement, saying, "We are grateful to Bahrain for their understanding and their commitment to putting the welfare of our athletes first. We have every confidence that Turkiye will deliver an outstanding event, and we look forward to seeing the next generation of champions compete on this historic stage.
The event, which brings together the world's best junior talent across Under-19 and Under-15 categories, will mark the first ITTF world title event ever staged in Turkiye.
The event will be held at the Ata Sporları Merkezi, a venue no stranger to table tennis, having previously hosted WTT events, and one that is also set to serve as a valuable platform for Turkish organisers ahead of Istanbul 2027, the fourth edition of the European Games.
"Hosting the ITTF World Youth Championships is a significant step forward for the Turkiye Table Tennis Federation and a reflection of our continued commitment to growing the game across Türkiye. We have been working hard to develop the sport at every level, and welcoming the world's best young players to our country is exactly the kind of moment that inspires the next generation. We look forward to putting on an event that Türkiye can be truly proud of," Kerim Koc, president, Turkiye Table Tennis Federation.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a positive step for world table tennis. Istanbul has shown it can host big sporting events well. But I hope the ITTF also makes sure the young athletes from developing countries like ours get proper support to travel and compete there. Visas and logistics can be a nightmare sometimes! 😓
Absolutely wonderful news for Turkiye! Table tennis is growing day by day and seeing the youth championships happen there will surely inspire many young Turkish kids to take up the sport. Even in India, our players are doing well internationally now. Hope India can host such an event someday too! 🇮🇳
Smart move for safety reasons, but shifting venues mid-planning must have been stressful for the ITTF and the athletes. Istanbul has the facilities though—Ata Sporları Merkezi is a proven venue. Always great to see table tennis expanding into new markets. Looking forward to the 2026 event!
The ITTF's priority on safety is commendable, and Turkiye is a strong choice. However, I'm concerned about the tight timeline for organizers to prepare everything. Bahrain's withdrawal was inevitable given the regional tensions, but I hope the athletes' training and preparation schedules aren't disrupted too much. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly! 🤞
First ITTF world title event in Turkiye—that's historic! 🇹🇷 Istanbul is a bridge between continents and cultures, so it's a perfect venue. I just hope the ITTF ensures transparency about how the decision was made and that the young champions from countries like India can get their travel plans
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