Top seeds confirmed for Mark Bates Ltd National Championships 2026 in Nottingham

Table Tennis England has confirmed the automatic invitees for the Mark Bates Ltd Senior National Championships, to be staged at the David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham from March 20 to 22, 2026. England number ones Tom Jarvis and Tin-Tin Ho top the invited lists and are set to headline a compact field that mixes established internationals and leading domestic talent.

The announcement names eight automatic invitees for each of the men’s and women’s singles draws; the lists include familiar faces such as Tom Jarvis, Liam Pitchford, Tin-Tin Ho and Tianer Yu. Alongside the senior singles invites, automatic places have been allocated in the para classes. Para athletes invited across Classes 2–5 and Classes 6–10 include Billy Shilton, Megan Shackleton and Jack Hunter-Spivey, ensuring strong representation in the para events at Nottingham.

For players outside the automatic list the path to the main draw is straightforward but competitive. Qualifying rounds will take place on the Friday before the main draw, giving non-invited players a clear route into the weekend’s headline matches. The qualifying format is designed to funnel a set number of winners into the main draw, so expect tightly contested early sessions and plenty of opportunity for lower-ranked players to upset established names.

Entry to the event is controlled by ranking-point thresholds and entry deadlines. Players who meet the ranking criteria earn automatic places; those who do not will need to enter the qualifying event and meet the posted deadlines to be eligible. Clubs and county players should check their current ranking points now and confirm entry timetables to avoid missing the window.

For spectators and volunteers, the calendar is pinned to the March 20–22 weekend, with the qualifying day offering early action on Friday followed by the main draw across Saturday and Sunday. Ticket timing and sale windows have been set by the organisers; watch the official channels for exact release dates so you can plan travel and accommodation around the peak weekend sessions.

What this means for the community is both immediate and practical: top English players will be on show, para talent will be integrated into the national stage, and ambitious club players have a defined, reachable route into the main draw via Friday qualifying. Check your rankings, mark the qualifying day, and plan to be in Nottingham if you want to catch the domestic season’s marquee national showdown.