World Snooker Championship 2026 Qualifiers Judgement Day 1: Tuesday's order of play, format, how to watch, when is Matthew Stevens playing?
By the end of the day we’ll know eight of the 16 qualifiers for the World Snooker Championship.
It may still be four days until the 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship gets underway at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre – players will take to the baize from April 18 to May 4 – but some players will start the journey they dream will end in glory a little sooner.
The top 16 players in the world rankings automatically qualify for the lucrative tournament, but are joined by another 16 potters who win through the qualifying process.
And this year has seen some big names looking to qualify the hard way.
We’re now down to the final 32 players - with two ‘Judgement Days’ deciding which 16 will make it to the Crucible.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening today - Tuesday, April 14.
When are the World Snooker Championships qualifiers held?
The qualifiers take place from Monday, April 6, and end on Wednesday, April 15, just three days before the tournament proper kicks off. The final two days are known as ‘Judgement Days’,
When is the World Snooker Championship 2026?
The tournament itself takes place from Saturday, April 18, to Monday, May 4 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England
Where do the qualifiers take place?
The 2026 qualification tournament takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.
What is the order of play today at the World Snooker Championship qualifiers 2026?
Here’s what’s happening today - Tuesday, April 14. It’s the first of two ‘Judgement Days’ with the winner of these matches heading to the World Championship. All matches are played over two sessions starting at 11am and 5pm.
Can I watch the qualifiers on television?
The World Championship qualifiers will be shown on HBO Max in the UK, with the final two days of play, or ‘Judgement Days’, shown free on WST Play and on WST’s YouTube channel.
Has a qualifier ever won the Snooker World Championship?
Just three qualifiers have ever won the tournament, namely Alex Higgins (1972), Terry Griffiths (1979), and Shaun Murphy (2005).
What famous players have taken part in the qualification process?
Several of the biggest players the sport has ever seen have been playing in the qualification rounds this year, led by six-time runner-up Jimmy White and 2007 champion Ken Doherty. Stuart Bingham, Matthew Stevens, Luca Brecel, Ali Carter, Jack Lisowski and Marco Fu have also been in action.
How has Jimmy White got on in qualification?
Sadly Jimmy White was knocked out in the first round of qualification, beaten 10-9 in a nailbiting thriller against Gao Yang.
What Scottish players are still in with a chance of qualification?
Six Scottish players started in the qualification tournament - Ross Muir, Chris Totten, Liam Graham, Scott Donaldson, Anthony McGill and Stephen Maguire. Anthony McGill is the last Scot standing and will play Ali Carter tomorrow for a place at the World Championship.
What is the format?
All matches in the qualification tournament are best of 19 frames (first to nine).
The first round sees the players ranked 81-112 play against the 113-144 seeds.
In the second round the first round winners take on the players ranked 49-80.
The third round the 32 second round winners take on the players ranked 17-47.
The final round sees the third round winners drawn against each other for a place at the Crucible.
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