Sanctioned vs. Unsanctioned Table Tennis Tournaments
Sanctioning is optional for most community events, and worth it for some. The deciding questions are whether you want results to count toward ratings, and who covers insurance.
Requirements, fees and benefits differ by country and change over time. This guide describes the general pattern. In the United States the relevant body is USA Table Tennis; other countries have their own associations, and the ITTF lists them.
What sanctioning is
A sanctioned tournament is one approved by a national or regional association. The organizer applies in advance, agrees to follow the association’s rules, and in return the event is listed and its results can feed into a rating system. An unsanctioned event is run on the organizer’s own authority.
What you usually get
- Official listing on the association’s calendar and a larger pool of players who look there.
- Results that count toward national ratings, which many competitive players want.
- Rules, forms and sometimes software and templates.
- In some countries, insurance coverage as part of sanctioning. Confirm exactly what is covered before relying on it.
- Credibility with venues and sponsors.
What it usually requires
- An application, usually weeks ahead of the event, and a fee.
- Playing under the association’s rules: approved balls and sometimes tables, certified referees or umpires for certain events, and a particular way of reporting results.
- Entrants who are members of the association, or who pay a one-day fee.
- Submitting results afterwards by a deadline.
Deciding
| If this matters most | Lean toward |
|---|---|
| Competitive players want rating points | Sanctioned |
| You want built-in insurance and venue credibility | Sanctioned, if cover is included |
| A social, beginner-heavy or family event | Unsanctioned |
| You want flexibility on format and rules | Unsanctioned |
| Short notice | Unsanctioned |
Many organizers run a sanctioned main event and an unsanctioned social side event on the same day.
First steps
- Find your national or regional association’s tournament page. For the United States, see USA Table Tennis tournament sanctioning.
- Read the requirements for your level of event, including the fee, lead time, and referee requirement.
- Ask about insurance in writing.
- Put the sanction fee in your budget.