One of the least popular or well-known sports you can probably think of is table tennis. Similar to athletic efforts, table tennis carries a certain amount of pride, and many players are more focused on the competition and their sense of accomplishment than they are with winning money.


This obviously does not apply to everyone, since many players make a profession out of table tennis, which offers a variety of income opportunities as well as some sizable prize money for the big championships. There is no doubt that people may support themselves through the sport, whether it be through prize money, sponsorship, or other supplemental revenue streams.


Ping-pong, or table tennis as most people refer to it, is one of the most played games worldwide. Although it's a highly skilled professional sport, it doesn't pay nearly as well as sports like hockey, football, or basketball.


They often receive their income as prize money from victories in events like championships and tournaments. However, the amount of money they get is not insignificant. Those that are talented and skillful in the sport might earn a sizable sum of money.


But in order to make a good life, you need to work hard. Professional athletes frequently engage in a range of athletic exploits to accomplish this. While it is not a universal practice, some players do get paid.



How do players of table tennis make money?


A sport that is not usually well publicised is table tennis balls. People are already aware of high salaries, bonuses, sponsorship opportunities, tv and media coverage, and a variety of other income-generating prospects when we consider some of the most well-known international sports, such as basketball or football (soccer).


Despite still being a somewhat popular sport, table tennis does not provide the same cash opportunities as other of these more well-known and well-liked sports.


Table tennis players can earn money in four main ways:


● Sponsorships
● Prize money
● Guest appearances
● Coaching

1. Prize money for contests


The main source of income for table tennis players is competition prize money. This holds true for both the finest players in the world and also (to a certain extent) amateur players competing in regional tournaments.


In order to get a good idea of the kind of prize money players can expect to earn, let's look at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Championships. The prize money for tournaments will vary depending on prestige, location, sponsorship, and television coverage.


The biggest table tennis competition series is the ITTF World Tour, which offers $8,000,000 (USD) in prize money annually. Each year, the ITTF Grand Final competition concludes with a prize pool of $1,000,000 (USD) in 2019 and $3,000,000 (USD) in 2020.


While this prize money is indeed amazing, the World Championship in darts offers a prize money of over $3,000,000 because it is promoted so much better than the game of table tennis... But such discussion can wait for another day. Different tournaments throughout the year will offer prize money ranging from $500 to $30,000 for the winner.


2. Promotion


The chance for sponsorship that comes with a sport is something that the majority of athletes initially overlook. There are several ways to get sponsored, but the primary ones are a player's talent (the best players get the most attention because they are more visible in the media) and personality.


Due to their social following or fan interaction, eccentric or relatable players might obtain sponsorship chances as this can be very beneficial to brands. Even though the top brands will pay athletes to sponsor this and produce contracts, this is only available to the best athletes or personalities. Nevertheless, sponsorship opportunities can benefit athletes of all skill levels. The various forms of sponsorship options consist of:


Income from brand promotion

● Free branded merchandise
● membership fees
● tournament-related travel and lodging costs

Each has advantages of its own and will be relevant to various players.


3. Third-party Appearances


Making guest appearances is something that is less valued in ping pong. The explanation is because there isn't a strong demand for it. However, for specified times and places, guest appearances are a method for players to get paid extra for attending an event where fans may meet them or watch them in action.


4. Training


Finally, coaching is another way for players to get money. One of the few sports where players also serve as coaches is table tennis. An hourly rate for coaching table tennis players can be quite lucrative and provide a steady source of income for players, especially if they are having difficulty on the tournament circuit. However, this requires a certain personality and time commitment.


Some contests and tournaments now award the top winner up to $140,000 in recent years. The sport is experiencing a resurgence of attention as it gains popularity in Europe and Asia. In addition, extra money is given to the victors thanks to the higher entry costs for participants. Through sponsorship, guest appearances, and even teaching, players can increase their income, although overall, most table tennis players make little more than the national living wage for their country of residence.