Table tennis gains pace as new league links cultures

Table tennis is finding fresh energy in the United States. The sharp rhythm of bouncing ping-pong balls filled the Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville, New York state, as fans leaned forward, eyes locked on the rallies and cheering alongside players and fellow enthusiasts on Sunday night.

"It's my first time watching table tennis live, and I love it," said Shannon Bell, who came to support the local team, the New York Slice. "It's fast, physical and exciting. I like how it brings so many different people together."

The match between New York Slice and Princeton Revolution closed out Week 5 of Major League Table Tennis, the first professional table tennis league in the US.

Founded in 2023, the league is expanding in its third season. With 10 teams and 80 players from nearly 30 countries, it travels to 15 US cities each season, attracting world-class athletes and coaches to compete, and growing a local fan base across the country.

"We just sold the most tickets ever here in Westchester," said Mimi Bosika, the league's senior vice-president of competition.

"Every weekend and every season, we have more interest from better players, new teams and, of course, larger audiences," she said.

"We have women and men playing on each team, sometimes even against each other."

The league has players aged 15 to 45, including former Olympians. "It's truly a diverse, international mix," Bosika said.

She described the sport as "playing chess while running a sprint that is fast, strategic and intensely physical". Bosika said her passion has carried into a new professional vision of expanding the league's reach across North America and beyond.

"Table tennis has been part of my entire life," she said. "Now, with Major League Table Tennis, I can combine my background as a player and a business professional to grow the sport in the US."

The league has also helped grow interest in table tennis in the US, where the sport is still considered a niche activity.

"I fully support it," said Igor Lontos, an amateur player who watched the competition. "I just want the sport to be more popular and accessible to everyone who wants to play."

Lontos said he has seen more professional table tennis players and clubs emerging in the US in recent years.

Deep roots

Table tennis has deep roots in China and is widely regarded as one of the country's national sports.

Major League Table Tennis has drawn new attention in China after Fan Zhendong, the men's singles and team gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, joined the league as an investor.

"That's a big deal for us," Bosika said. "Since he joined, interest in China has exploded. We want to make table tennis not only a professional sport but a shared culture. It's a way to connect people — Americans, Chinese and players from everywhere."

Recently, the China National Tourist Office New York launched a new partnership with the New York Slice team.

"Table tennis has long been a bridge between cultures, and this partnership with CNTO.NY brings that idea to life," said Flint Lane, founder and commissioner of Major League Table Tennis.

"We're thrilled to have CNTO.NY join the MLTT family and help share the stories, heritage and global spirit of the game through our newest team, the NY Slice," he said.

Ma Yunfei, director of CNTO.NY, said table tennis is "one of China's most beloved sports and a symbol of cultural pride".

"We are honored to support MLTT and the NY Slice as the sport continues to grow in the US, and we look forward to working together to encourage more people to experience not only the excitement of table tennis, but also the richness of Chinese culture that surrounds it."

mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com