At the heart of this collaboration is a clear strategic ambition: to bring table tennis into the world that younger audiences already love, and to make them fall in love with the sport in return. Tom and Jerry was chosen in part for its proven resonance with Chinese audiences, where the franchise enjoys enormous popularity across multiple generations, making Macao, China the natural stage for this first activation. At the same time, its global recognition ensures the partnership speaks to fans far beyond the region, introducing table tennis to audiences who may never have watched a rally before.
Bringing Together “Competition and Friendship”
The partnership is built on a shared ambition between the two brands. Table tennis is defined by split-second reflexes and strategic mind games played out on a small court. Similarly, Tom and Jerry is built on the timeless art of the chase—a never-ending, witty battle between two iconic rivals. Both the sport and the cartoon embody the spirit of “finding joy in competition and elevating each other through the chase.” This “frenemy” dynamic is the pinnacle of sportsmanship and the secret to the cartoon’s century-long appeal. Together, the ITTF and Tom and Jerry can transform intense competition into a playful, heartwarming interaction, highlighting the humor and warmth behind the speed and passion of the game.
The Macao Stop Takes the Stage First: Kicking Off a Century-Long Rendezvous That Transcends Dimensions
Fans can expect the court to transform into a playful “Stage of Animation.” Throughout the 2026 season, ITTF events in China will feature exclusive visual branding, turning venues into an immersive world where reality meets animation. Stadiums will feature classic Tom and Jerry elements, making it feel as though Tom and Jerry are causing their signature mischief right from the sidelines.
Tony Qiu, SVP of Warner Bros. Discovery, and the Managing Director of Greater China and APAC Experiences, stated: “The chase between Tom and Jerry has long transcended the boundaries of animation itself, becoming a shared and enduring memory for audiences worldwide. This collaboration with the ITTF represents an innovative dialogue between a classic franchise and modern sports. We look forward to using the theme ‘Chasing the Table Tennis’ to highlight table tennis’s century-long history, with the art of Tom and Jerry sparking new experiences for families to enjoy.
Petra Sörling, the president of ITTF, stated: “Table tennis has always been a sport that brings people together, across generations, cultures and backgrounds. Tom and Jerry have done the same for decades through the timeless joy of the chase. This collaboration is about more than celebration. It is about reaching new audiences and introducing the sport to the next generation in ways that feel relevant and exciting to them. We will use this partnership to open new doors for table tennis, and we hope fans around the world, whether they have followed the sport for years or are discovering it for the first time, will join us on that journey.”
From March 30 to April 5, 2026, the Macao venue will kick off this once-in-a-century cross-dimensional event. As table tennis arcs gracefully across the table, and Tom and Jerry’s silhouettes blend into the vibrant lights and shadows of competition, a feast of speed, wit, and joy is about to begin—offering global audiences an unprecedented viewing experience.
Building a New Path for Sports IP Commercialization
This crossover between a premier sporting event and an animation franchise is poised to reach wider audience circles and open new avenues for diverse, engaging experiences. Starting with the ITTF World Cup Macao 2026, the two parties will build a complete ecosystem ranging from on-court competition, to a year-round stream of innovative content and activities. This deep integration will not only carve out new paths for sports IP commercialization but is also expected to offer rich creative possibilities for brand marketing. It stands to become a benchmark model for industry innovation, offering valuable insights for future cross-sector collaborations.
TOM AND JERRY and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. (s26)
