The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), founded in 1926 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the worldwide governing body for table tennis. The ITTF is responsible for setting the official rules of the sport, organising major international competitions such as the World Table Tennis Championships, the ITTF World Tour, and table tennis at the Olympic Games. Beyond competitions, the ITTF promotes the global development of table tennis by supporting grassroots programmes, coaching education, and infrastructure development, particularly in countries where the sport is still emerging. The federation also leads efforts in anti-doping, technological advancements, and the continuous improvement of the sport’s organisational standards global.

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing federation for table tennis in Europe and is affiliated with the ITTF. Established in 1957, the ETTU coordinates and promotes table tennis across European countries, organising key continental events such as the European Table Tennis Championships and the European Top 16 Cup. The ETTU also focuses on grassroots development by assisting national federations with coach and referee training, player development, and expanding participation. Additionally, the ETTU plays an important role in enhancing facilities, organising international competitions within Europe, and fostering the growth and popularity of table tennis across the continent.