The ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals London 2026 Presented by ACN has an adorable new ambassador: Ping! 

With its wide-eyed, cheerful design and trusty red bat, Ping! is ready to welcome the world to the sport’s centenary celebration. But this blue, cuddly character is much more than just a friendly face for the tournament – it is the physical embodiment of a nationwide movement designed to change lives through sport.

Ping! takes its name from Table Tennis England’s award-winning social impact programme, a legacy initiative that brings the joy of table tennis out of traditional sports halls and directly into the heart of everyday communities.

Get your very own Ping! plush and support the social impact programme.

The heart of the mascot: The Ping! programme

At its core, the Ping! programme is about breaking down the barriers to physical activity. It takes the game to places where people already spend their time, making it visible, free, and incredibly accessible.

• Ping! Hubs: Permanent, free-to-play spaces often set up right on the high street – such as in shopping centres – where anyone can grab a bat and play, regardless of age, background, or ability.
  
• Ping! in the Community: Targeted outreach that takes the sport directly into community venues to engage groups who might otherwise face barriers to getting active.
  
• TT Kidz: An engaging, fun-filled initiative specifically designed to introduce children to the sport, teaching them the basics while keeping them active, social, and entertained.
  
• Ping! Tables: The famous permanent “street” tables dotted across parks, public squares, and even railway stations. You can easily track down your nearest table using the Find a Place to Play tool. Recently, this nationwide network of hundreds of tables has been joined by 10 striking, centenary-inspired golden tables across central London. Delivered in partnership with the Central London Alliance to celebrate the sport’s 100-year homecoming, these unique tables span iconic locations from Victoria to Tower Hill—including a spectacular setup right outside St Paul’s Cathedral. Each golden table features a unique motif celebrating the sport’s rich history, making them a perfect addition to the capital ahead of the 2026 Championships.

A World Championships legacy

Hosting a global event like the 2026 World Championships isn’t just about watching elite athletes; it’s about the lasting impact left behind. Through the momentum of the Championships, the Ping! programme is receiving an enhanced focus to create even more opportunities across three key areas:

• Ping! for Health: Dedicated to creating inclusive, safe spaces where people with disabilities and long-term health conditions can stay active and build social connections.
  
• Ping! for Schools & Clubs: Empowering the next generation by focusing on physical literacy, social connection, and inclusion. This is driven by TT Kidz, which provides schools and community leaders with ready-made “pick up and play” sessions. It also features the Centenary Club Programme, an initiative turning top local clubs into community beacons that will deliver a two-year impact plan tied to the 2026 Championships.
  
• Ping! for Inclusive Sport: Focused on looking beyond the table to ensure the sport is a space where women and girls feel safe, respected, and empowered. A core element of this initiative is actively educating and supporting young men to become champions of equality and positive role models through active allyship.

The proof is in the play

The initiative isn’t just about having fun – it’s about creating real, measurable change in public health. Research from the Ping! programme highlights the incredible benefits of picking up a bat:

• 89% of participants report improved mental and physical wellbeing.
• 75% of participants become more active overall after joining in.

Take Ping! home and make a difference

You can support this incredible legacy and own a piece of table tennis history by taking home your very own Ping! plush toy.

Available to purchase online at London-2026.shop for £30, this high-quality, huggable mascot is the perfect souvenir for fans and players alike. Best of all, £3 from every online plush purchase goes directly into the Ping! social impact funding, helping to put more bats, balls, and tables into the communities that need them most.

By celebrating the 2026 World Championships, you aren’t just watching history – you’re helping to fund the future of the sport.