AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE
The ITTF has announced that the ITTF World Youth Championships 2026 will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye from 21-28 November, following a change of host from Bahrain. The event dates remain unchanged.
Bahrain Table Tennis Association took the decision to withdraw after close consultation with the ITTF, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all athletes, officials and delegations participating in the event. The ITTF commends Bahrain for their responsible and considered approach in the current regional context and looks forward to a continued and strong partnership in the future.
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 Türkiye, a landmark moment for the sport in the country.
Istanbul, the city that bridges Europe and Asia, provides a fitting stage for a competition that unites players from every corner of the globe. 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, providing an important opportunity to test their delivery before one of Europe’s most prestigious multi-sport events.
Türkiye’s hosting of the event was made possible through the support of the Türkiye Table Tennis Federation (TMTF) and its President Kerim Koç, alongside ITTF Executive Vice President and President of the Türkiye National Olympic Committee, Prof. Veli Ozan Çakır.
“Hosting the ITTF World Youth Championships is a significant step forward for the Türkiye 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 Koç, President, Türkiye Table Tennis Federation
“Bringing the ITTF World Youth Championships to Istanbul is a proud moment for Turkish table tennis and for our country. This is the first ITTF world title event to be held in Türkiye, and we are determined to make it one to remember. With Istanbul 2027 on the horizon, this championship also gives us a tremendous opportunity to showcase what Türkiye can deliver on the world stage.” – Prof. Veli Ozan Çakır, ITTF Executive Vice President and President of the Türkiye National Olympic Committee
ITTF President Petra Sörling welcomed the announcement. “We are grateful to Bahrain for their understanding and their commitment to putting the welfare of our athletes first. Istanbul is a wonderful home for this championship – a city that connects continents and communities, much like table tennis itself. We have every confidence that Türkiye will deliver an outstanding event, and we look forward to seeing the next generation of champions compete on this historic stage.” – Petra Sörling, ITTF President
The announcement builds on the success of the ITTF World Youth Championships 2025 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, which set a high benchmark for youth table tennis on the world stage. Istanbul now takes up that mantle, with the city’s rich sporting heritage and its unique position at the crossroads of two continents setting the stage for another memorable edition.
