China Open 2026 Returns to the World Snooker Tour with a Grand Revival in Taiyuan

The China Open will return to the World Snooker Tour from August 8 to 16, 2026, in Taiyuan, Shanxi, marking the tournament’s first staging since 2019.

The event is jointly organized by the World Snooker Tour (WST), the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association, the Shanxi Provincial Sports Bureau, the Taiyuan Municipal Government, and other partners. With a total prize fund of £1.2 million, the tournament will feature a significant upgrade in both scale and profile.

A total of 144 players will enter the competition, with the main draw consisting of 32 players. All matches will follow a best-of-11 format, with two tables in operation simultaneously to maintain a fast-paced schedule.

Qualifying rounds will be held in the United Kingdom, while selected Chinese wild card players will enter directly. Additional local wild cards will also be given the opportunity to challenge qualifiers for places in the main stage.

The China Open boasts a rich history. Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed the inaugural title in 1999, while Ding Junhui’s victory over Stephen Hendry in 2005 marked a milestone in the rise of Chinese snooker. Since then, champions such as Mark Selby and Mark Williams have also lifted the trophy.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson stated that Taiyuan hosting the event for the first time is of great significance. With snooker continuing to grow rapidly in China at both grassroots and elite levels, the return of the China Open is expected to further enhance the tournament’s quality and global influence.