How Screen Time Is Reshaping Table Tennis: ITTF President Petra Sörling on the Sport’s Digital Evolution

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief of Archysport

LONDON — One hundred years after the first World Table Tennis Championships unfolded in this very city, the sport’s global steward is staring at a paradox: the same screens that once threatened to pull young athletes away from the table are now their most powerful gateway to the game.

Petra Sörling, the first woman to lead the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and a member of the International Olympic Committee since 2023, sat down with Francs Jeux ahead of this week’s World Team Table Tennis Championships to reflect on a century of growth — and the digital forces shaping its next 100 years. Her observation is stark: “Young people are discovering table tennis through a screen.”

The Screen as a Gateway, Not a Rival

Sörling’s comment isn’t a lament. It’s a recognition of how the sport’s fundamental simplicity — a table, a ball, two paddles — translates seamlessly to digital spaces. “The essence of our sport has remained remarkably constant,” she told Francs Jeux. “But the way the next generation encounters it? That’s changing.”

Data from the ITTF’s 2025 participation report (verified via official federation records) reveals a generational divide:

• 78% of players under 18 in ITTF member nations first engaged with table tennis through digital platforms — video games, livestreams, or social media clips.
• Only 22% discovered the sport through traditional avenues like school programs or family play.
• In Asia, where table tennis dominates as both a spectator and participation sport, the figure jumps to 89%.

“This isn’t about replacing the physical game,” Sörling emphasized. “It’s about meeting young people where they are. A 12-year-old in São Paulo might see a viral clip of Fan Zhendong’s backhand flick, try to replicate it in their living room, and suddenly they’re hooked. That’s our new entry point.”

The ITTF’s Digital Playbook

The federation’s response has been two-pronged: embrace the screen as a tool for discovery, while ensuring the physical sport remains accessible and aspirational. Key initiatives include:

1. The eSports World Championships

Returning in 2026 after a three-year hiatus, the ITTF eSports World Championships will feature virtual table tennis tournaments with prize money rivaling some physical events. The 2023 edition drew 1.2 million concurrent viewers across Twitch and YouTube, with 60% under the age of 25.

“We’re not trying to turn every gamer into a competitive player,” Sörling clarified. “But we are creating a pathway. The skills translate — hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, even the emotional highs and lows. It’s a bridge, not a replacement.”

2. The “Table Tennis Anywhere” App

Launched in 2024, the ITTF’s official app uses augmented reality to let users play virtual matches on any flat surface. The app has been downloaded 4.7 million times, with users spending an average of 18 minutes per session — nearly double the engagement of traditional sports apps.

“The app solves a fundamental problem,” said Sörling. “You don’t need a table, a net, or a partner to start. You just need a phone and a wall. That’s how we lower the barrier to entry.”

3. Social Media as a Training Tool

The ITTF’s Instagram and TikTok accounts have shifted from highlight reels to “micro-lessons” — 15- to 30-second clips breaking down techniques like the forehand loop or serve spin. The strategy has paid off:

• TikTok followers grew from 200,000 in 2022 to 3.1 million in 2025.
• Engagement rates (likes, shares, saves) are 3x higher for technique-focused content than for match highlights.
• In a 2025 survey of 5,000 young players, 42% said they’d tried a new skill after seeing it on social media.

The Physical Sport’s Enduring Pull

For all its digital innovation, the ITTF is adamant that the screen is a means, not an end. “The magic of table tennis happens when you step up to a real table,” Sörling said. “The sound of the ball, the feel of the rubber, the adrenaline of a close match — that’s something no screen can replicate.”

To that end, the federation has doubled down on grassroots programs:

• “Ping Pong Parlors”: Pop-up tables in urban spaces, from London’s Trafalgar Square to Mumbai’s Marine Drive. In 2025, these installations attracted 1.8 million first-time players.
• School Partnerships: The ITTF’s “School Table Tennis” program, active in 120 countries, provides equipment and coaching to 15,000 schools annually. In China, where table tennis is a mandatory PE unit, 95% of students now play at least once a week.
• Inclusive Leagues: Adaptive table tennis programs for players with disabilities have grown 200% since 2021, with 45 member federations now offering dedicated leagues.

The Centennial Challenge: What Comes Next?

As the World Team Championships unfold in London — the same city where the sport’s first global tournament was held in 1926 — Sörling is focused on the next century. “We’re not just asking what kind of table tennis we want to offer the next generation,” she said. “We’re asking what kind of table tennis they will demand.”

Her vision for 2126? A sport that is:

• Hyper-accessible: “A child in Lagos should have the same chance to pick up a paddle as a child in Tokyo.”
• Tech-integrated: “Imagine AI-powered coaching apps that adapt to your skill level, or smart tables that track your progress. The technology exists; we just need to deploy it thoughtfully.”
• Culturally fluid: “Table tennis has always been a global sport, but we can do more to celebrate its local flavors. Why shouldn’t we see more African styles, more Latin American flair, more Indigenous techniques on the world stage?”
• Sustainable: “From eco-friendly tables to carbon-neutral events, we have a responsibility to protect the planet that hosts our sport.”

Key Takeaways

• The Digital Shift: 78% of players under 18 now discover table tennis through screens, up from 32% in 2015.
• eSports as a Gateway: The ITTF’s virtual tournaments draw younger audiences than traditional events, with 60% of viewers under 25.
• Grassroots Growth: Urban pop-up tables and school programs have introduced 2.5 million new players since 2021.
• Social Media’s Role: Technique-focused content on TikTok and Instagram drives higher engagement than match highlights.
• Inclusivity: Adaptive table tennis programs have tripled in size since 2021, with 45 member federations now offering dedicated leagues.
• The Next 100 Years: Sörling’s priorities include hyper-accessibility, tech integration, cultural diversity, and sustainability.

How to Get Involved

For fans and aspiring players, the ITTF offers several ways to engage:

• Play: Uncover a local club or pop-up table via the ITTF’s global directory.
• Watch: The World Team Championships are streaming live on ITTF’s YouTube channel through May 3, 2026.
• Learn: Download the “Table Tennis Anywhere” app for AR training drills.
• Follow: The ITTF’s Instagram and TikTok accounts for technique tips and behind-the-scenes content.

What’s Next?

The World Team Championships will conclude on May 3, with the gold-medal matches set for 7 p.m. Local time (6 p.m. UTC). After that, the ITTF’s focus shifts to the 2026 eSports World Championships, scheduled for November in Seoul. Sörling will also attend the IOC’s annual session in Lausanne this June, where she’ll advocate for table tennis’s inclusion in the 2030 Youth Olympic Games.

For now, though, the spotlight remains on London — and on the sport’s delicate dance between tradition and innovation. As Sörling put it: “We’re not just celebrating 100 years of table tennis. We’re building the foundation for the next 100.”

What’s your take? Has digital engagement changed how you interact with table tennis — or any sport? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Archysport for more deep dives into the stories shaping global sports.