The World Table Tennis Association (WTT) has announced that the first event in the WTT Series will be held in the Republic of Argentina from 27 May to 2 June 2024, following the addition of the WTT Contender Mendoza to the calendar.

The prestigious tournament will take place at the Aconcagua Arena in Mendoza, located in the General San Martín Park in the Cuyo region. This event follows Argentina's success in organising the WTT Youth Contender Rosario in the province of Santa Fe in 2023.

Mendoza, known worldwide for its vibrant culture, for having the highest mountain in the world (Aconcagua, 6951 metres) after the Himalayas (Asia) and for being the region of the impressive Malbec wine, offers the perfect setting for the WTT Contender Series.

The venue will be the Aconcagua Arena, renowned for its modern facilities and capacity to host major international events, with a capacity of 8,500 people ready to welcome the global table tennis community.

The WTT Contender Mendoza promises to be a spectacular showcase of talent, with the potential to highlight both local favourites and national heroes in the sport. With entries closing five weeks before the event, there is great anticipation for the participation of outstanding players such as Santiago Lorenzo and Gastón Alto from Mendoza, as well as Argentine talents such as Horacio Cifuentes and Ana Codina.

The event not only promises to showcase Argentina's growing presence in the international table tennis arena, but also underlines the country's increasing presence on the world stage, further promoting the sport in the region.

Federico Chiapetta, Deputy Secretary of Sports of Mendoza, said: "It is a great honour for Mendoza to host the WTT Contender. The arrival of this international table tennis circuit demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Mendoza to this sport and will give both residents and visitors the opportunity to witness the world's best players in this discipline."

"Mendoza offers a wide range of accommodation, one of the most important gastronomic offers in the country, large shopping centres and a wide range of tourist activities for those who visit us," added Chiapetta.

Fernando Joffre, President of the Argentine Table Tennis Federation (FATM), commented: "Bringing the WTT Contender to Mendoza is a proud moment for Argentine table tennis. It's an opportunity to showcase our athletes on an international stage and to inspire a new generation in our country".

This announcement is in line with the expansion of the discipline and the growth of WTT events in the Americas. With previous WTT Contenders in Lima and Rio de Janeiro attracting global stars such as Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Hugo Calderano, Shin Yubin and Hina Hayata, Mendoza will be another important meeting point for the world's best table tennis players.

Gonzalos Barak, WTT Manager Partnerships Sales - Americas, added: "The WTT Contender Mendoza is not just an event; it's a celebration of the sport's growing community in Argentina and an invitation to the world to experience the beauty and hospitality of Mendoza.

The 2024 WTT Contender Series will feature an expanded calendar of at least 13 events, with five WTT Star Contender events and eight WTT Contender events. Athletes will compete for increased prize money and crucial world ranking points. 

These events will make for an exciting year of table tennis as they are key steps in qualifying for the WTT's flagship events: the Grand Smashes, Champions and Finals.