World Snooker Championships 2026 Qualifiers Today: Format, Monday order of play, how to watch, what big players and Scots are taking part, has a qualifier ever won?
The players ranked from 17-144 in the world are doing battle to try to make it to the biggest - and richest - competition of the year.
It may be nearly two weeks 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 sees some big names looking to qualify the hard way.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening today - Monday, April 6.
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.
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?
Here’s what’s happening today - Monday, April 6,
10am
- Yao Pengcheng v Ryan Davies
- Huang Jiahao v Leone Crowley
- Bai Yulu v Daniel Womersley
- Gao Yang v Jimmy White
- Jonas Luz v Peter Lines
- Mitchell Mann v Wang Xinbo
- Michal Szubarczyk v Onyee Ng
- Robbie McGuigan v Hammad Miah
2.30pm
- Ross Muir v Michael Larkov
- Haris Tahir v Connor Benzey
- Mateusz Baranowski v Florian Nuessle
- Liam Pullen v Alfie Burden
- Cheung Ka Wai v Ashley Carty
- Ken Doherty v Patrick Whelan
- Dylan Emery v Anton Kazakov
- Reanne Evans v Vladislav Gradinari
7pm
- Yao Pengcheng v Ryan Davies
- Huang Jiahao v Leone Crowley
- Bai Yulu v Daniel Womersley
- Gao Yang v Jimmy White
- Jonas Luz v Peter Lines
- Mitchell Mann v Xinbo Wang
- Michal Szubarczyk v Onyee Ng
- Robbie McGuigan v Hammad Miah
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 are taking part in the qualification process?
Several of the biggest players the sport has ever seen are 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 will also be in action.
What Scottish players are hoping to make it through qualification?
Six Scottish players will be hoping to join John Higgins at the Snooker World Championship. Ross Muir, Chris Totten and Liam Graham are playing in the first round, while Scott Donaldson will join the action in the second round, with Anthony McGill and Stephen Maguire joining in the third round (requiring only one win to make it to the Crucible).
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.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.