China Open Snooker 2026 Preview: Everything You Need to Know
Snooker fans can look forward to the return of one of the sport’s most prestigious ranking events. After a seven-year absence from the World Snooker Tour calendar, the China Open returns in 2026, bringing many of the world’s best players to Taiyuan for one of the biggest tournaments outside the Triple Crown events.
This guide covers the tournament dates, venue, prize money, defending champion, leading contenders and how to follow all the action throughout the week.
When Is The China Open Snooker 2026?
The China Open Snooker 2026 takes place from Saturday, 8th August to Sunday, 16th August 2026. The tournament spans nine days, beginning with the opening-round matches before progressing through the last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and concluding with the final on Sunday.
The event marks the second ranking tournament of the 2026/27 World Snooker Tour season and is the first China Open since 2019, when the competition was suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic. Its return gives players an early opportunity to earn significant ranking points and prize money at the start of the new campaign.
Where Is The China Open Snooker 2026 Held?
The 2026 China Open is held at the Riverside Sports Centre in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, rather than Beijing, which hosted many previous editions of the tournament.
Taiyuan becomes the new home of the revived event, with the Riverside Sports Centre providing modern facilities for players, spectators and broadcasters.
Fans attending the tournament can expect practice areas, hospitality facilities and good transport connections, while television audiences will once again enjoy extensive live coverage from one of snooker’s biggest overseas events.
Who Won The China Open Snooker Last Year?
There was no China Open held between 2020 and 2025, meaning the defending champion is Neil Robertson, who won the last staging of the tournament in 2019.
Robertson defeated Jack Lisowski 11–4 in the final to capture the title before the tournament disappeared from the calendar for several seasons. As the last champion, the Australian returns in 2026 looking to successfully defend his crown when the event resumes.
What Is The Prize Money For The China Open Snooker?
The 2026 China Open features a total prize fund of £1,200,000, making it one of the richest ranking tournaments on the World Snooker Tour.
The winner will receive £250,000, with prize money awarded throughout the tournament to players progressing through each round.
The substantial prize fund underlines the tournament’s importance early in the season, with valuable ranking points and significant earnings available to the world’s leading professionals.
Who Is The Favourite to Win The China Open Snooker?
The return of the China Open has attracted a world-class field featuring many of the sport’s biggest names.
Among the leading contenders are reigning world champion Yu Wize, seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, defending champion Neil Robertson, Kyren Wilson, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and John Higgins.
Given the strength of the field, predicting a winner is difficult. Recent form, the draw and adaptation to early-season conditions are all likely to play an important role as the tournament progresses.
Bet on the China Open at Bet442
Bet442 provides a variety of betting markets throughout the China Open, including outright tournament winners, individual match markets and selected live betting opportunities as matches unfold.
Before placing any bets, it’s worth considering recent player form, head-to-head records, seasonal momentum and the tournament draw, as these factors can all influence results over the course of the week.
Bet442 is licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring a safe and secure betting experience.
Always remember to gamble responsibly by sticking to a strict budget within your means and making use of any responsible gambling tools available.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.