ITTF Foundation Recognises the First-Ever Parkinson Portugal Open
We are proud to feature the first edition of the Parkinson Portugal Open, recognised by the ITTF Foundation!
As part of its commitment to advancing sport for health and inclusion, the ITTF Foundation has established the concept of international and national Parkinson’s table tennis events being “recognised by” or “encouraged by” the Foundation. This framework aims to inspire and support Member Associations and organisations worldwide to develop dedicated competitions, strengthen inclusive environments, and expand playing opportunities for players with Parkinson’s. The Parkinson Portugal Open stands as a strong example of this growing movement.
A New International Tournament in Portugal
The Parkinson Portugal Open will take place 14–16 March 2026 in Vila Nova de Gaia, a coastal city located next to Porto. As a newly established international tournament for players with Parkinson’s, the event is set to welcome participants from Portugal and abroad for its inaugural edition.
The competition programme will include:
- Men’s & Women’s Singles Events
Registration deadline: 26 February 2026
- Doubles & Mixed Doubles Events
Registration deadline: 7 March 2026
Check out the Event Prospectus here
Click here for the registration form
Recognised by the ITTF Foundation
The event has been officially labelled “Recognised by the ITTF Foundation.” This recognition follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ITTF Foundation and the Portuguese Table Tennis Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Ténis de Mesa), represented as the event organiser.
By recognising events such as the Parkinson Portugal Open, the ITTF Foundation continues to promote the development of a structured and supportive ecosystem for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s table tennis events as well as TT4Health programmes worldwide.
This collaboration encourages Member Associations and community organisers to deliver TT4Health programmes and events aligned with internationally established standards, including:
- Application of people with Parkinson’s (PwP) and people with Alzheimer’s specific table tennis rules
- Use of PwP classification guidelines
- Adoption of frameworks developed for the World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships and the World Alzheimer’s Table Tennis Championships
Through each recognised event, this shared approach ensures consistency, fairness, and player-centred competition conditions, while strengthening the pathway for people with Parkinson’s to stay active and connected through table tennis.
Join the First Portugal Open
As the inaugural Parkinson Portugal Open approaches, players are warmly encouraged to take part in this exciting first edition.
Don’t miss your chance to register for Singles by 26 February. (Doubles pairing will be open until 7 March once the registration is confirmed.)
With an inclusive yet competitive structure, the tournament aims to deliver an unforgettable match experience while fostering friendship, resilience, and active living through table tennis.