China Open Snooker 2026: Prize money, format, schedule, how to watch

The best snooker players in the world have headed to China for a money-spinning competition.

This year’s China Open will be the first time the tournament has been held since 2019, when Aussie player Neil Robertson won the title.

John Higgins is preparing to play his first round match at the China Open. | Getty Images

placeholder image — John Higgins is preparing to play his first round match at the China Open. | Getty Images

Established in 1985 it has been held in a range of cities around China, with previous winners including Steve Davis, John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Both Higgins and O’Sullivan will be playing in this year’s tournament, which sees the top 16 seeds take on 16 players who came through qualifying in Leicester.

Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament.

Where and when is the 2026 China Open being played?

The tournament will take place from August 8-16 at the Riverside Sports Centre in Taiyuan. It is the second ranking event of the 2026/27 season.

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What is the prize money at the 2026 China Open?

The players will be fighting it out for a share of a prize pot worth £1,205,000, split as follows:

Winner: £250,000
Runner-up: £100,000
Semi-finalists: £50,000
Quarter-finalists: £25,000
Last 16: £15,000
Last 32: £10,000
Last 48: £7,500
Last 80: £5,000
Last 112: £2,500
Highest break: £15,000

What is the first round draw for the 2026 China Open?

Here’s how the last-32 stage is shaping up:

Neil Robertson (AUS) (1) v Chang Bingyu (CHN)
Si Jiahui (CHN) (16) v Jiang Jun (CHN)
Mark Selby (ENG) (9) v Pang Junxu (CHN)
Kyren Wilson (ENG) (8) v Aaron Hill (IRL)
John Higgins (SCO) (5) v Stuart Bingham (ENG)
Mark Allen (NIR) (12) v Hossein Vafaei (IRN) or Liu Linhao (CHN)
Chris Wakelin (ENG) (13) v Tom Ford (ENG)
Zhao Xintong (CHN) (4) v Zhang Anda (CHN)
Judd Trump (ENG) (3) v Noppon Saengkham (THA)
Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) (14) v Jackson Page (WAL)
Xiao Guodong (CHN) (11) v Anthony McGill (SCO) or Wu Shengguang (CHN)
Shaun Murphy (ENG) (6) v Matthew Selt (ENG)
Mark Williams (WAL) (7) v Zhou Yuelong (CHN)
Barry Hawkins (ENG) (10) v Liu Hongyu (CHN)
Ding Junhui (CHN) (15) v David Gilbert (ENG)
Wu Yize (CHN) (2) v Yao Pengcheng (CHN)

What is the format of the China Open?

All matches up to and including the semi-finals will be the best of 11 frames (first to six), while the final will be a best-of-19 frames match (first to 10) played over two sessions.

When is Anthony McGill playing in the China Open 2026?

Scotland’s Anthony McGill still has to play a so-called Wildcard Round to get into the first round proper of the tournament. He’ll be playing Yu Shengguang for his last-32 spot at 2.30am on Saturday, August 8.

When is John Higgins playing in the China Open 2026?

Scotland’s John Higgins will take on Stuart Bingham in the first round of the competition, with the match scheduled for 7am on Tuesday, August 11.

Is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing in the 2026 China Open?

The news is good - the Rocket WILL be playing in the tournament. He’ll be taking on Welsh player Jackson Page in the opening round at 12.30am on Sunday, August 9.

How can I watch the China Open 2026 on television?

All the action will be broadcast on TNT Sports. You can subscribe to the channel via HBO Max or your TV provider starting from £25 a month, or buy a one-off monthly pass for £30.99.

Who is favourite to win the China Open 2026?

Home player Zhao Xintong is the 13/5 favourite to win the competition, followed by Judd Trump (16/5), Wu Yize (5/1) and Ronnie O’Sullivan (8/1). John Higgins is a 16/1 outsider.

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