Gender Eligibility FAQs

These FAQs should be read in conjunction with the Gender Eligibility Policy, Gender Eligibility and Competition Guidelines, and Participation and Gender Eligibility Guidelines, which can all be downloaded from our Policies and Procedures page. 

The Gender Eligibility Policy determines eligibility for the Women’s and Men’s Open categories in TTE regulated competitions at a national-ranked level.

The policy specifically relates to people who play or seek to play table tennis in regulated events. It sets out the eligibility for event categories according to a person’s biological sex (i.e. a person’s sex assigned at birth) and gender identity. In all other competitions e.g. community and recreational table tennis, and events that are not TTE regulated, people are free to compete in the competition category that aligns with their gender identity regardless of their biological sex.

The policy takes effect from the 2026/27 season – i.e. from 1 August 2026 onwards.

Table tennis is a ‘gender-affected’ sport and the policy is required to balance fairness and inclusivity in competitions in which players earn ranking points. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10259/

The term ‘gender-affected’ derives from the Equality Act 2010. A gender-affected activity is a sport or other activity of a competitive nature in which the physical strength, stamina or physique of average persons of one sex would put them at a competitive disadvantage compared with average persons of the other sex.

The policy applies only to TTE-regulated events at a national-ranked level and at all age groups. Regulated activity below a national-ranked level, and community and recreational table tennis are unaffected by the policy.

The policy defines the competition categories for TTE regulated events at a national-ranked level as Men’s Open and Women’s. It prescribes who is eligible for the Men’s/Boys’ Open and Women’s competition categories based on biological sex and gender identity. A person is eligible to compete in one competition category only. The table below sets out gender eligibility at a glance.

Biological Sex  Gender Identity  Eligible Categories 
Male  Man/Boy  Men’s Open 
Female  Transgender man (FTM)  Men’s Open 
Male  Non-Binary   Men’s Open 
Male  Transgender woman (MTF)  Men’s Open 
Female  Woman/Girl  Women’s 
Female  Non-Binary  Women’s 

In early 2025 an internal working group was formed to consider TTE’s position on gender eligibility. It was agreed that table tennis is a gender-affected sport, and that in the interests of fairness, the eligibility for the Women’s category in TTE-regulated competitions at a national-ranked level should change.

The working group reviewed existing scientific research, guidance and the policies applied in other sports. It conducted a thorough consultation to understand the table tennis community’s views on a proposed policy and to understand the impact of a gender eligibility policy. It carried out an online survey, which received more than 2,000 responses, and it interviewed people involved in the sport and organisations who have relevant knowledge and expertise.

The working group reviewed the following research:   

 

National-ranked competitions of all ages. This includes: 

  • National Championships 
  • National Cups 
  • National Series 
  • British Clubs Leagues (Senior, Women’s, Veterans and Youth) 
  • 2* and 4* tournaments 
  • County Championships 
  • English Leagues Cup Competitions (ELCC) 
  • 1* tournaments 
  • British Clubs Leagues (Cadet/Junior) 

 

  • TTE Schools programmes 

Competitions below a national-ranked level, including: 

  • Local leagues  
  • County closed competitions 

These competitions will continue to allow participants to self-identify their gender. 

Other non-regulated competition, which do not require TTE membership. These include, but are not limited to:  

  • Veterans’ English Table Tennis Society (VETTS) 
  • British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) – except events which are agreed as TTE regulated 
  • U3A 
  • Army/Navy 

Non-affiliated organisations have their own decision-making processes and will determine their own gender eligibility approach. 

All age groups are covered by the policy.

Yes. The agreed naming conventions for gender categories for regulated competition at a national-ranked level are now ‘Men’s Open’ and ‘Women’s’.

Therefore, regulated competition at a national-ranked level will no longer have Men’s and Women’s (or ‘Boys’ and ‘Girls’) competition categories. The competition categories will be named ‘Men’s Open (or Boys’ Open)’ and ‘Women’s’ (or ‘Girls’).

Mixed doubles at a national-ranked level will consist of one Men’s Open-eligible player and one Women’s-eligible player.

In addition, to avoid confusion between the use of the designation ‘Open’, the names of some competitions will change. ‘Open’ competitions (e.g. Anytown 4* Open) will be known as ‘All-Comers’ competitions (e.g. Anytown 4* All-Comers). The naming of ‘Closed’ competitions (e.g. those restricted to members of a particular club or county) will not change.

There is no impact. Where competitions have historically included Men’s categories, the records will not be amended. The new Men’s Open designation will apply after 1 August 2026. Perpetual trophies will not be replaced or altered.

The TTE national ranking and rating lists will adopt the new category names – i.e. Men’s Open and Women’s/Girls’.

Local Leagues are fully inclusive, and mixed gender, and are not affected by this policy.

Normal club activity, including training activity, is not affected by this policy. Internal (“Closed”) competitions are not affected by this policy.

As facilities vary from venue to venue, it is not possible for us to provide advice to organisers, venues and officials on how best to provide changing and toilet facilities in a way which is inclusive for everyone. Each venue should consider this independently and if you rent a venue, please liaise with the venue to understand what policies are in place. Those who manage their own venue should consult with their committee to make decisions and clearly communicate these.

No.

No.

TTE policies do not apply to international events. International table tennis events are covered by ITTF policies. Should a player participate in an ITTF regulated event at youth or senior level (either through self-funding or through selection), the player will be eligible to compete in the category specified by the relevant ITTF policy, which may align directly with their biological sex. 

These events include England representation (e.g. World Championships), Team England representation (e.g. Commonwealth Games), and Great Britain representation (e.g. Olympic Games), and when a player is competing as an individual in a WTT competition.

Yes. You can compete in the competition category that aligns with your gender in a competition that is below a national-ranked level. At a national ranked level, you can participate in the Men’s Open category.

Yes. Trans women can compete in the Men’s Open category in Regulated Competition at a national-ranked level. Where activity is below a national-ranked level, trans women can compete in the category of competition that aligns with their gender identity.

Yes. Trans men can compete in the Men’s Open category in Regulated Competition at a national-ranked level. Where activity is below national-ranked level, trans men can compete in the category of competition that aligns with their gender identity.

Yes. Non-binary individuals are eligible to compete in the category of their biological sex. Where activity is non-regulated or below a national-ranked level, non-binary individuals are eligible to compete in the category that aligns with their gender identity.

The Men’s Open category of competition is not a mixed category of competition in which everyone can play. The Men’s Open and Women’s categories are separate and mutually exclusive competition categories. A biological woman who identifies as a woman is eligible only for the Women’s category.

We will continue to explore opportunities that allow table tennis to be a game for everyone including community led campaigns and focus groups. We are committed to creating welcoming spaces for all to be able to enjoy the sport. 

We recognise that individuals may feel personally affected by the change of policy.  

If you feel you need wellbeing support, you can: 

  • Find your local urgent NHS service in your area here 
  • Call Samaritans on free phone 116 123 – they are always open and there to listed 
  • If you’re under 19, you can talk to Childline on 0800 1111 – the number will not appear on your phone bill 

If you need non-urgent information regarding mental health support, please contact your GP or you may find resources with Mind via 0300 123 3393 or [email protected]  

You can also visit the NHS website for more information regarding gender dysphoria here. 

As an adult, you can contact the LGBT Foundation for advice, support and information on 0345 330 3030 between 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday and between 10am to 6pm on weekends (excluding bank holidays and religious festivals). 

Alternatively, you can: 

  • Contact Mind Out, an LGBT mental health service 
  • Visit Trans Unite to find Trans support groups near you 

We recognise that changes to eligibility policies may have a direct and personal impact on some people. We are looking into how existing welfare, and safeguarding roles can be strengthened so that transgender participants know that there is someone trained and accessible should they experience any concerns. We will continue to reinforce TTE’s expectations of respectful behaviour and safeguarding responsibilities in staff and volunteer inductions. There are clear and accessible reporting routes for any concerns, and these are set out in the Participation and Gender Eligibility Guidelines, here and the Gender Eligibility Guidelines for Competition, here. We are also developing guidance to support the implementation of the policy alongside training and education initiatives that will be delivered internally and shared across the wider workforce ahead of the effective policy date in August 2026. 

TTE collects information about a person’s gender identity and biological sex during the membership process to verify a person’s eligibility. Please refer to the Gender Eligibility Guidelines for Competition and Appendices A1 & A2.

If any stakeholder has a query about eligibility before a competition, including organisers, officials, players, parents or coaches, please contact [email protected].

Except for investigations conducted by TTE, the eligibility of a player shall not be questioned during any event or competition. Any instances of such behaviour or concerns should be reported to [email protected].  

TTE will work with the player to carry out a sensitive and confidential review of their circumstances and may take any appropriate steps to determine the player’s eligibility where there are grounds to do so. TTE will consider reasonable requests that are submitted in writing to [email protected] and that clearly set out the basis on which the player’s eligibility is being questioned or challenged. 

Behaviour that intimidates, humiliates or makes a participant feel unsafe will not be tolerated in table tennis and does not represent the values that TTE seeks to promote e.g. challenging someone inappropriately about their gender identity. If you witness inappropriate or bullying behaviour and wish to make a complaint, or tell us about something that has happened, please use the following form. 

You can report a complaint and view our Complaints Policy here.  

The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis, or sooner if new legislation, guidance or research is released.