Leapmotor signs partnership with DTTB and TTBL to support German table tennis

Leapmotor has signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with the Deutscher Tischtennis-Bund (DTTB), the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) and the myTischtennis platform to support German table tennis from grassroots initiatives to national major events, the organisations announced after a preview screening of the Hollywood film "Marty Supreme." The agreement was sealed on the sidelines of the Borussia Düsseldorf-hosted preview in Frankfurt/Main on February 26, 2026.

DTTB-Chef Dörner framed the deal as a boost for the sport's inclusivity and long-term development, saying, "Tischtennis ist ein Sport für alle, ein echtes Spiel fürs Leben. Über Alter, Geschlecht und Herkunft hinweg, für Menschen mit und ohne Handicap. Genau das macht unseren Sport so stark." Dörner added, "Leapmotor bringt frische Ideen und große Motivation mit. Wir sind überzeugt: Das wird eine Partnerschaft mit Perspektive." Timo Boll, official DTTB ambassador who appears in a small supporting role in "Marty Supreme," took part in the preview event hosted by Borussia Düsseldorf.

Sources describe the arrangement as a Kooperationsvereinbarung that gives Leapmotor access "vom Breiten- bis zum Spitzensport" - from popular, mass-participation table tennis up to the professional level represented by the TTBL, the Topliga der Herren. myTischtennis is explicitly named as the digital partner that will provide "existing digital channels" and "tailor-made activations" for Leapmotor, and Lars Merle of Tischtennis Marketing Gesellschaft (TMG) said, "Leapmotor thus has access to both popular and elite sports and receives tailor-made activations via existing digital channels." Merle is identified as the initiator of the partnership and has been TMG Managing Director since January.

Leapmotor is described in the announcement as "a pioneering Chinese electric vehicle (NEV) start-up dedicated to developing smart, high-performance electric cars. With a focus on innovation, quality and user-oriented design, Leapmotor is redefining the future of mobility and accelerating the transition to sustainable transport." Martin Resch, Director of Leapmotor Germany, attended the preview alongside TTBL and DTTB representatives, underscoring Leapmotor's push into the German market.

A TTBL/DTTB photo from the preview lists attendees left-to-right as: Nico Schmidt, Head of Products, Brands & Tech Communications, Stellantis Germany; DTTB Executive Board Member Matthias Vatheuer; TTBL Managing Director Nico Stehle; Martin Resch, Director Leapmotor Germany; Lars Merle, Managing Director, TMG; Jochen Lang, Managing Director, myTischtennis; and DTTB Executive Board Member Richard Prause.

Organisers did not disclose financial terms, the formal start date or duration of the partnership, exclusivity clauses, or specific activation plans such as vehicle provision or event naming rights. With Leapmotor now formally linked to DTTB, TTBL and myTischtennis and TMG credited with brokering the deal, the next public steps will be the rollout of the promised digital activations and any club- or league-level sponsorships that detail how the NEV brand will appear across grassroots programmes and TTBL fixtures.