WTT Handbook 2025 Additions & Changes

zeio · Dec 22, 2024

zeio · Dec 22, 2024

Many tiny yet significant additions and changes for 2025, namely the monetary penalties on withdrawals, and the deadlines for payouts if the minimum amount and/or events are not met.

Youth Smash will play to 7 pts, sudden death at 6:6 for G1-G6, and 2-pt difference at 5:5 for G7, changing ends when one side scores 4 pts first.

wtt早日倒闭 (Fold up soon, WTT)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9349067313
wtt失心疯了？这么搞？ (WTT has gone mad with this?)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9348644605
WTT渐入佳境，不拖奖金 (WTT getting better, no prize money delay)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9348668209?pid=151414907313&cid=151416091822#151416091822
WTT可自行决定随时更改任何赛事的奖金，无需事先通知。 (WTT reserves the right to adjust the prize money at any time without notice)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9347637068

Exciting Changes Announced for WTT Series 2025: Enhanced Prize Money, New WTT Finals Qualification Path, and Expanded Opportunities for Players
https://worldtabletennis.com/description?artId=4400

Champions Series Expansion

WTT’s premier tier events will officially grow in 2025 with the WTT Board approving a change to the WTT Series structure that will result in the world’s Top 32 men’s and women’s players competing in six WTT Champions events each year.

...

Enhanced Prize Money Across Multiple Events

Players will see enhanced financial rewards in 2025, with significant prize money increases at the WTT Finals and across the WTT Contender Series and WTT Feeder Series events.

The WTT Feeder Series leads the way with a 34% increase, raising the minimum event prize money to 30,000 USD. This boost reinforces WTT's commitment to supporting players at every stage of their careers.

WTT Star Contender events will see their first prize money increase since WTT was launched, with a 10% improvement to 275,000 USD, while WTT Contender events will increase to 85,000 USD per event, up 6.2%.

The season’s best players will see the WTT Finals prize money jumping to 800,000 USD, a 14.3% increase, amplifying the stakes for those battling out to reach the season-ending event.

WTT Grand Smash and WTT Champions events continue with their established prize pool minimums of 1,500,000 USD and 500,000 USD respectively.

New WTT Finals Structure and Qualification System

The WTT Finals takes on an evolved format in 2025, with qualification determined by the new WTT Series Finals Rankings. This system creates a clear path from success in WTT events to qualification for the season finale.

In singles, the WTT Series Final Ranking will count a player's four WTT Grand Smash events, best four WTT Champions events, and six WTT Contender Series events. Where a player cannot include WTT Contender Series events, WTT Feeder Series results will substitute. This approach rewards consistency and excellence across all event tiers throughout the season.

Adding to the excitement, Mixed Doubles joins the WTT 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 Flexibility

To accommodate more versatile pairing options, the WTT Series will introduce an onsite doubles entry system, allowing players to form pairs at the event prior to the doubles main draw. This change is expected to foster exciting new pair combinations and open additional pathways for participation in doubles sub-events.

Expanded Opportunities for Top 20 and Youth Players

Continuing WTT’s goal of establishing the Day 1 to World No.1 pathway, the number of PDR spots for Top 20 players in WTT Star Contenders will increase to eight, while WTT Contender events will now feature up to four Top 20 players.

Alongside this, youth players will enjoy enhanced opportunities via WTT Youth Nominations at WTT Grand Smash qualifying, and WTT Star Contender and WTT Contender main draw events, in a move designed to nurture emerging talent and fuel the development of future table tennis stars.

Responding to growing demand and aiming to support broader development, 2025 will see adjustments to the National Entry Restriction rules in WTT Contender Series qualifying.

The new changes will allow more players to compete and gain experience in this tier of events.

Increased Match Opportunities

WTT Contender Series event organisers will now have the flexibility to select between group or larger knockout formats for qualifying singles events, offering a more diverse and strategic competition structure, while providing more opportunities for players to play more matches at events while fighting for their place in the main draw.

Robin0910 · Dec 22, 2024

Tony's Table Tennis · Dec 22, 2024

zeio said:
Many tiny yet significant additions and changes for 2025, namely the monetary penalties on withdrawals, and the deadlines for payouts if the minimum amount and/or events are not met.

Youth Smash will play to 7 pts, sudden death at 6:6 for G1-G6, and 2-pt difference at 5:5 for G7, changing ends when one side scores 4 pts first.

wtt早日倒闭 (Fold up soon, WTT)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9349067313
wtt失心疯了？这么搞？ (WTT has gone mad with this?)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9348644605

Yep, we were informed about 10 days ago.
I don't think it is bad, since many leagues in the world do have some interesting points systems.
Eager to see how it goes in Singapore

mikeytt · Dec 23, 2024

zeio said:
Many tiny yet significant additions and changes for 2025, namely the monetary penalties on withdrawals, and the deadlines for payouts if the minimum amount and/or events are not met.

Youth Smash will play to 7 pts, sudden death at 6:6 for G1-G6, and 2-pt difference at 5:5 for G7, changing ends when one side scores 4 pts first.

wtt早日倒闭 (Fold up soon, WTT)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9349067313
wtt失心疯了？这么搞？ (WTT has gone mad with this?)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9348644605
WTT渐入佳境，不拖奖金 (WTT getting better, no prize money delay)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9348668209?pid=151414907313&cid=151416091822#151416091822

Exciting Changes Announced for WTT Series 2025: Enhanced Prize Money, New WTT Finals Qualification Path, and Expanded Opportunities for Players
https://worldtabletennis.com/description?artId=4400

first to 7??? sudden death game 1-6?! what's the reason for this change....

Tony's Table Tennis · Dec 23, 2024

mikeytt said:
first to 7??? sudden death game 1-6?! what's the reason for this change....

correct.
they testing things out.

only Youth Smash will have this.

Bof7 and best to 7, win by 2 in decider.

and if anyone doesn't know yet.

Yinhe H40+ WTT ball will be the official ball for Youth for 2025. Beyond, Yinhe haven't confirmed which ball they will use, but they also have secured multiyear contract.

Yinhe replaces the very famous (or infamous) 729 S40+ ball for the youth space (this ball was used in Asian Champs where CNT collapses like dominoes)

mikeytt · Dec 23, 2024

Tony's Table Tennis said:
correct.
they testing things out.

only Youth Smash will have this.

Bof7 and best to 7, win by 2 in decider.

and if anyone doesn't know yet.

Yinhe H40+ WTT ball will be the official ball for Youth for 2025. Beyond, Yinhe haven't confirmed which ball they will use, but they also have secured multiyear contract.

Yinhe replaces the very famous (or infamous) 729 S40+ ball for the youth space (this ball was used in Asian Champs where CNT collapses like dominoes)

i just don't see the point, this isn't a thing in the wtt main circuit so why would they make the youth play like this. surely the point of the youth circuit should be to prepare them for the main events later on down the line

zeio · Dec 23, 2024

Or that they have plans to adopt it in senior events if it catches on...

Tony's Table Tennis · Dec 23, 2024

well, there are lots of weird things going on
xd world cup is number 1 recently (and highly possibly going to be an olympic event)
21 point to 11 point is another crazy one
38 to 40, then to 40+ is another crazy one

21 to 11 and then to 7, will open up for many upsets for sure.

best of 7 era, Wang Liqin was King Wang
in WTT bo5 era, WLQ would probably fail

so... its going to be very interesting.

this does cause havoc for preparations,

pongfugrasshopper · Dec 23, 2024

Tournament	2024 Minimum Prize Money	2025 Minimum Prize Money
WTT Grand Smash	USD $1,500,000	USD $1,500,000
WTT Finals	USD $500,000	USD $800,000 (+$300,000)
WTT Champions	USD $400,000	USD $500,000 (+$100,000)
WTT Star Contender	USD $250,000	USD $275,000 (+$25,000)
WTT Contender	USD $80,000	USD $85,000 (+$5,000)
WTT Feeder Series	USD $22,500	USD $30,000 (+$7,500)

zeio · Dec 23, 2024

Not much of an increase if you go back all the way to 2021. Especially the prize money for GS and CF in 2021. Way less now.

2023
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT_Series & Feeder_Handbook_2023.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total minimum prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $2,000,000
• WTT Finals: USD $750,000
• WTT Champions: USD $400,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $250,000
• WTT Contender: USD $75,000
• WTT Feeder Series: USD $20,000

2022
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT_Series & Feeder_Handbook_2022.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total minimum prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $2,000,000
• WTT Cup Finals: USD $750,000
• WTT Champions: USD $400,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $250,000
• WTT Contender: USD $75,000
• WTT Feeder Series: USD $20,000

2021
https://wttnewtest.blob.core.window...TT_Series_Handbook_2021_Final_20210517_V2.pdf
https://wttnewtest.blob.core.window.../WTT_Series_Handbook_2021_Final_20210517_.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $2,000,000
• WTT Cup Finals: USD $1,000,000
• WTT Champions: USD $400,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $250,000
• WTT Contender: USD $75,000

zeio · Dec 28, 2024

Response to Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng’s Withdrawal Announcement
https://worldtabletennis.com/description?artId=4517

We deeply respect the contributions of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, two icons who have inspired countless fans and athletes worldwide. To address the concerns raised regarding the 2025 WTT Handbook, we would like to clarify:

1. Rules Are Consistent, Not New

The rules referenced by Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng are not newly introduced. These regulations, which include automatic entry for players ranked in the global standings, have been in place since WTT’s inception four years ago. The intent of these rules is to ensure that top-tier players are represented at key WTT events, preserving the integrity of global competition and delivering the highest quality events for players, fans, and all partners.

2. What Are Automatic Entry Events

Players or pairs gain direct entry into the Main or Qualifying Draw of the WTT Series top-tier events, such as the WTT Grand Smash, WTT Champions and WTT Finals, by virtue of their position in the global standings. This model aligns with established practices in other professional sports.

3. Why Penalties Exist

The penalties for non-participation are designed to support the structure of the WTT calendar, ensuring that fans, organisers, event partners and broadcast partners can rely on the participation of the world’s top players. This is particularly important for marquee events such as the WTT Grand Smashes, WTT Champions and WTT Finals. Penalties for withdrawals, except in cases of verified medical reasons, are also enforced to uphold the competitive balance, ensure consistency and maintain fairness for all participants.

4. Key Changes in the 2025 Handbook

The 2025 WTT Handbook introduces several significant updates, including strategic changes to the event structure, draw sizes, playing systems, and adjustments to fines. Most of these changes were inspired by feedback gathered directly from players and with work together with the ITTF Athletes Commission. Below are some of the most notable regulatory adjustments:

In 2025, WTT will see an overall prize pool increase of 20% and adjustments have been made to the overall distribution to give the final rounds a larger proportion of winnings.

The limitation and corresponding fines for players who withdraw from a WTT event and participate in a non-WTT event during the following event week have been completely removed. The 2025 WTT Handbook does introduce higher fines for players who choose to participate in non-WTT events taking place during WTT events they have withdrawn from. This adjustment reflects the value of top-tier WTT events in the global table tennis ecosystem and reinforces the importance of prioritising these events.

Additionally, for the first time in WTT’s history, a complete WTT calendar has been confirmed and published in advance ahead of 2025. This provides players with greater certainty and allows for more effective planning of their schedules, including league and club commitments.

5. ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking Policies and WTT Policies

ITTF World Ranking policies focus on the technical and unbiased way to rank active table tennis players. Its policies were designed by table tennis experts, led by the experienced ITTF Executive Vice President Mr.Wahid Oshodi, together with the ITTF World Ranking working group. These policies are constantly under review to ensure fairness to our players and system.

The WTT Handbook and competition structure were built and operated by industry-leading senior sports experts and is now to be led by WTT Executive Director of Events Mounir Bessah along with a team of professionals, of whom will alway places the benefits of players at the very core.

6. Commitment to Players

WTT remains fully committed to supporting players and fostering a competitive and inclusive environment, led by our WTT Director of Player Relations Ms Polona Cehovin. We recognise the immense contributions of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng to the sport and wish them best of luck and will continue to welcome them, as well as all players, to return to WTT events should they wish to in the future.

World Table Tennis will continue its mission to elevate the sport, working collaboratively with athletes, member associations, and partners to ensure the continued growth and success of table tennis globally.

Tony's Table Tennis · Dec 28, 2024

zeio said:
Response to Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng’s Withdrawal Announcement
https://worldtabletennis.com/description?artId=4517

I guess I had influenced that announcement.

zeio · Dec 30, 2024

Just noticed WTT Handbook 2025 has updated (before the FZD/CM's announcements) the definition of "Automatic entry" (WTT GS/F/CS) and added the term "Direct entry" (WTT SCT/CT/FEE) to make them consistent with the ones in ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking Regulations. It used to "Automatic entry" for all WTT Series and Feeder Series.

2025

4. DEFINITIONS/TERMS

...

Automatic entry Players or pairs who are directly placed into a Main or Qualifying
Draw of Mandatory Events by virtue of their position in the ITTF
Table Tennis World Ranking.

...

Direct entry Players or pairs who are directly placed into a Main or Qualifying
Draw of non-Mandatory Events by virtue of their position in the
ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking.

2024-2021

4. DEFINITIONS/TERMS

...

Automatic entry Players or pairs who are directly accepted into a Main or
Qualifying Draw by virtue of their position in the ITTF Table
Tennis World Ranking.

Lazer · Dec 30, 2024

mikeytt said:
first to 7??? sudden death game 1-6?! what's the reason for this change....

Yeah really, destroying the game even more… It was bad enough going from 21 to 11… Why not racket spinning Black side up I win, read side you win 🤣

Cheers
L-zr

kindof99 · Jan 8, 2025

One can see LKL's genes in WTT manual.

zeio · Feb 16, 2025

Getting this out of the way before I forget.

World Table Tennis Announces Major Enhancements To WTT Series
https://worldtabletennis.com/description?artId=4644
刘国梁建言WTT：建议取消强制参赛 (Liu Guoliang advises WTT to cancel mandatory participation)
https://news.bjd.com.cn/2025/02/02/90054733.shtml
WTT强制参赛规定修改 (WTT mandatory participation rules revised)
https://finance.sina.cn/2025-02-11/detail-inekcimw3094198.d.html
WTT公布重大优化改革措施 (WTT announces major optimization and reform measures)
https://finance.sina.cn/2025-02-11/detail-inekcimw3099906.d.html

zeio · Feb 28, 2025

Prize money breakdown for 2025 has been modified.

WTT Series & Feeder Handbook 2025 (effective for Events from 1 April 2025)
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.win...TT_Series & Feeder_Handbook_2025_20250227.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total minimum prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $1,550,000
• WTT Finals: USD $800,000 + USD 500,000 boost
• WTT Champions: USD $500,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $300,000
• WTT Contender: USD $100,000
• WTT Feeder Series: USD $30,000

WTT Series & Feeder Handbook 2025 (applicable for Events until 31 March 2025)
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT Series & Feeder Handbook 2025.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total minimum prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $1,500,000
• WTT Finals: USD $800,000
• WTT Champions: USD $500,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $275,000
• WTT Contender: USD $85,000
• WTT Feeder Series: USD $30,000

https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT Series & Feeder Handbook 2024.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total minimum prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $1,500,000
• WTT Finals: USD $500,000
• WTT Champions: USD $400,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $250,000
• WTT Contender: USD $80,000
• WTT Feeder Series: USD $22,500

zeio said:
Not much of an increase if you go back all the way to 2021. Especially the prize money for GS and CF in 2021. Way less now.

2023
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT_Series & Feeder_Handbook_2023.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total minimum prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $2,000,000
• WTT Finals: USD $750,000
• WTT Champions: USD $400,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $250,000
• WTT Contender: USD $75,000
• WTT Feeder Series: USD $20,000

2022
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT_Series & Feeder_Handbook_2022.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total minimum prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $2,000,000
• WTT Cup Finals: USD $750,000
• WTT Champions: USD $400,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $250,000
• WTT Contender: USD $75,000
• WTT Feeder Series: USD $20,000

2021
https://wttnewtest.blob.core.window...TT_Series_Handbook_2021_Final_20210517_V2.pdf
https://wttnewtest.blob.core.window.../WTT_Series_Handbook_2021_Final_20210517_.pdf
C. BREAKDOWN
Total prize money per event series is as follows:
• WTT Grand Smash: USD $2,000,000
• WTT Cup Finals: USD $1,000,000
• WTT Champions: USD $400,000
• WTT Star Contender: USD $250,000
• WTT Contender: USD $75,000

zeio · Mar 2, 2025

See links for images of the specific pages.

https://weibo.com/7360795486/PghIUr34F
2025WTT赛事手册更新丨Olympic Champions Gold Cards补充
奥运冠军(所有子赛事的金牌获得者)有权以奥运冠军金卡身份参加大满贯正赛和冠军赛赛事。奥运冠军金卡：
• 不计入 NER
• 就福利、义务和制裁而言（不包括排名和种子相关事项），对于本手册的所有条款，将被视为与排名 1-10 的球员相当。
• 就种子而言，如果球员不再是ITTFTTWR的成员，他们将根据上次活跃的排名作为临时排名进行排位，过期的赛事将被删除。（本规定仅适用于其首次参赛，并一直有效，直至ITTF TTWR规则对奥运冠军金卡做出任何修改为止）

https://weibo.com/7360795486/PghEGFTMo
2025WTT赛事手册更新丨Entry Deadline更新
【Entry Deadline丨大满贯赛】
• 大满贯系列赛事单打报名截止时间更改为赛前第6周
选手的参赛是通过邀请进行的，因此选手从报名截止日开始到报名截止周的星期四20:00之前将有一个初始免费取消期。
-如果在最初的免费取消期内没有取消，则邀请将被视为接受
-如果一名选手在此期间取消参加正赛，下一位符合资格的资格赛选手将在周四晚自动加入正赛，无需任何通知或延期。资格赛排名前32位的选手可能有资格参加正赛中的任何空缺席位，为此必须遵守相同的初始免费取消期限
-奥运冠军将以相同的时间表通过其会员协会确认参加该赛事
• 大满贯系列赛事双打报名截止时间更改为赛前5周

【Entry Deadline丨冠军赛】
• 冠军赛系列赛事单打报名截止时间更改为赛前第6周
-强制参赛，但每位选手每年最多可获得两次豁免参赛权
-正赛选手及候补名单中的最多16名选手从报名截止日开始到报名截止周的星期四20:00之前将有一个初始免费取消期
-如果在此期间有选手取消参加正赛，候补名单中的下一位符合资格的选手将被添加到正赛中，标准时间为通知之日起 24 小时或 WTT 另行通知确认接受参加比赛
-奥运冠军将以相同的时间表通过其会员协会确认参加该赛事

https://weibo.com/7360795486/Pghlv6r8A
2025WTT赛事手册更新丨部分系列赛制更新
【WTT Finals丨总决赛】
单打全程7局4胜制

【WTT Champions丨冠军赛】
1/16决赛、1/8决赛为5局3胜制，1/4决赛、半决赛、决赛为7局4胜制

https://weibo.com/7360795486/PghgRfBIU
2025WTT赛事手册更新丨大满贯及冠军赛系列参赛名单组成变化
【WTT Grand Smash丨男女单正赛丨64签】
• 根据报名截止日期时国际乒联世界排名邀请排名前47至50名球员
• 最多3名2024巴黎奥运冠军金卡(不计入NER)
• 4名东道主外卡球员
• 2名WTT球员提名
任何未使用的名额将根据国际乒联世界排名分配给下一位符合资格的选手
• 8名资格赛晋级球员

【WTT Champions丨男女单正赛丨32签】
• 根据报名截止日期时国际乒联世界排名前27-30名球员自动入围
• 最多3名2024巴黎奥运冠军金卡(不计入NER)
• 1名东道主外卡球员
• 1名WTT球员提名
任何未使用的名额将根据国际乒联世界排名分配给下一位符合资格的选手
WTT冠军赛仁川站将使用以上最新报名方式

【Olympic Champions Gold Cards 奥运冠军金卡】
上届奥运会的所有金牌得主(每个性别最多5名选手：团体3人、单打1人、混合双打1人)受邀参加WTT大满贯赛正赛和WTT冠军赛

pongfugrasshopper · Mar 2, 2025

As a past Olympic Champion, I think it would be fun to see ZJK play Grand Smash and Champions events!

WTT Handbook 2025 Additions & Changes

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