Even presence of Chinese world No 1s fails to move tickets as WTT Grand Smash USA starts
Despite star-studded line-up, including Wang Chuqin – last year’s winner – and Sun Yingsha, even the singles finals have many seats available
The International Table Tennis Federation’s “American dream” may be facing a harsh reality check, with a vast number of tickets for the opening day of the 2026 WTT Grand Smash USA going unsold, in stark contrast to such events in China, where they typically sell out instantly.
Just last month, ITTF president Petra Sorling, after releasing the 2025 financial statements, indicated that the organisation was counting on the US market to balance its books, despite World Table Tennis (WTT) driving an eight-figure deficit that year.
The second edition of the WTT Grand Smash USA got under way at the Ontario Convention Centre on Friday, moving to Los Angeles after its debut in Las Vegas last year.
Tickets for the US$1.55 million tournament start at just US$40.50 (HK$313). In Los Angeles, that is roughly the equivalent of buying a standard movie ticket and a drink.
The event features a star-studded line-up, including Chinese world No 1s Wang Chuqin – who won last year – and Sun Yingsha, alongside top players from around the world.
But the tournament appears to lack local appeal. Despite tickets being on sale for more than a month, numerous seats for even the men’s and women’s singles finals on July 5 remained unsold ahead of the opening rounds.