From 21 July to 31 August, over 20 ping pong tables will spring up across Nottingham City Centre – from Smithy Row to the Lakeside Arts Centre and Nottingham Castle and even Nottingham Train Station.

The tables, which are clearly marked with the Nottingham City Council and Ping! Logos, are free for everyone to play on. Both novice and experienced players are welcome to enjoy a game: simply turn up at a table, borrow a bat and ball from the side of the table and play.

Ping! Nottingham launches with a ping pong bonanza on Smithy Row just off the Old Market Square on 21 July from 12.30-4pm. There will be exhibition matches including England international players, a chance to beat the table tennis robot and plenty of fun games and giveaways for everyone.

Ping! Nottingham is coming to the city for the first time and is being organised by Nottingham City Council Sports & Leisure in partnership with Sport England and Table Tennis England. Nottingham is one of 16 regions that have been selected to be part of Ping! this year, along with Birmingham, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Bury, Cambridge, Cornwall, Exeter, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Middlesborough, Milton Keynes, Oxford and Sheffield.

As well as being able to play for free, members of the public will be able to take part in a range of unique and exciting Ping! activities which will take place in the city centre throughout the summer, including master classes and tournaments such as the King of Ping! Competition and the Ping! treasure hunt for all the family. Visit www.pingnottingham.co.uk for all the details and follow on Twitter @ping_tweets, #ping! or Facebook www.facebook.com/pingengland

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “This is a brand new exciting project which promises to give the people of Nottingham and visitors to the city a taste of this fast paced and fun sport. The Ping! Project promotes active participation and the enjoyment of sport and fitness activities.”
Alex Brown, Health and Physical Activity Officer at Nottingham City Council said: “The Ping! project is going to be a fantastic way to engage people who would not normally take part in sport and physical activity. Anybody can play table tennis no matter their age or ability and the Ping! project will provide an informal, fun and social way to improve their health.”