Playing Schedule

The following is a tentative schedule that cannot be confirmed until final entries are received. Times may change.

 

Format of Play

Individuals:

All singles events will have a round robin stage and knockout stage where applicable.

All doubles events will be knockout. All matches will be Best of 5 games to 11 points. 

Teams: 

All team events will follow a format with the team match order of — A v X, B v Y, doubles, A v Y, B v X

All matches will be Best of 5 games to 11 points.

How to Enter

All entries must be submitted online.

Individuals Closing Date: 11:59pm, Thursday, 5th March, 2026

Team entries and payment are to be submitted by email via the excel entry form by Associations only to: entries@tabletennis.nz

Teams Closing Date: 11:59pm, Thursday, 5th March, 2026

There will be no late entries accepted under any circumstances. No payment = no entry accepted.

ENTER HERE 

Entry Conditions

All players entering the tournament will be deemed to have read and accepted the Entry Conditions under which the tournament and the events are to be conducted. This tournament is eligible for Ranking points.

Eligibility to Enter Events

1. Players must be a member of an association affiliated with Table Tennis New Zealand (TTNZ), or their overseas national association which must be affiliated to ITTF. All international entries are at the discretion of TTNZ to accept.
2. Eligibility for over-age events is determined by age as at the 31st December 2026. Proof of age may be required.
3. Players entering age categories shall be restricted to two consecutive age categories; for example, O30/O40, or O75/O80.
4. Where a player has entered a doubles event with a partner who is not eligible or fails to enter, the player will be placed into the Partner Required pool of players and allocated a partner accordingly.

Additional Entry Conditions for the New Zealand Veteran Open Championships

TTNZ’s policy for entry conditions being breached is as follows:

In the situation where a player enters more events than they are eligible to under the entry conditions for this tournament, the situation will be remedied according to the following, noting that any event entry is considered equal and there is no differentiation between a singles event or a doubles event entry:

1. If a player breaches the entry requirements for age-group category allowances, the player will retain entry in the maximum number of oldest age-group categories for over-age events. A player will be removed by TTNZ from all events in other age-group category(ies). E.g., If a player enters O30, O40, O50 they will be removed by TTNZ from all O30 events.
2. TTNZ has no obligation to inform the player and/or doubles partners of removal of entries if they are in breach of the entry conditions for this tournament. The process will take place after entries close and be visible once the draw is released.

Teams

A player may enter a maximum of 2 team events. Teams require a minimum of two players and can have a maximum of three players. 

Associations can enter unlimited teams in any category but only 2 will be accepted for the highest grade. Teams will be graded and seeded using the average player rating points of the top two players at the close of entry date.

Associations which have only one player available for any event may apply to have that player placed in the drafting pool. 

Team entries will only be accepted via email from Associations only using the appropriate entry form. Any changes to team personnel must be advised to the TTNZ event contact – Shane Laugesen shane@tabletennis.nz immediately once known.

All round robin teams contests MUST be played to completion. Only knockout team contests can finish once a result is obtained.

Once a result is obtained in any contest an association may substitute in an eligible player, or players, to take the place of a starting player for his or her remaining matches. No player may play in more than one position on the result sheet.

All matches will be best of five advantage games to 11.

Seedings, Draws and Results

Seedings and draws will be constructed using the current TTNZ Ranking lists at the close of entry.

Regulations

The tournament will be conducted in accordance with the TTNZ National Tournament Regulations and the current ITTF Laws and Regulations of Table Tennis. The Referee’s decisions are final.

Medals & Prizes

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in all team and individual events.

Officials

Referees: TBC
Deputy Referees: TBC
Umpires: Players will be required to umpire in all their team matches. Umpiring requirements for individuals will be communicated on the day.

Equipment & Clothing

Equipment:
Table: Blue Butterfly Centrefold Rollerway – 25mm
Nets: Butterfly
Balls: White Donic 3*
Floor: Tawa Wood

Clothing:
No white clothing or singlets shall be worn. Athletes may wear any clothing that complies with ITTF Regulations.