Snooker Champion of Champions 2026: Full Tournament Preview
The invitation-only tournament features players who have won major titles over the previous 12 months, creating a competitive field in which every participant has earned their place.
With established stars and emerging talents competing for one of snooker’s prestigious trophies, the event promises a week of high-quality action.
The 2026 edition returns to Leicester, with the Mattioli Arena hosting seven days of competition from 9 to 15 November. Defending champion Mark Selby will be looking to retain his title in front of his home crowd, while former winners and recent tournament champions will be aiming to stop him.
With 16 players competing across four groups, the tournament features plenty of intriguing match-ups from the opening day. The group winners will progress directly to the semi-finals, followed by the final on Sunday 15 November. Here is everything you need to know about the schedule, venue, prize money and leading contenders.
When Is The Champion of Champions Snooker 2026?
The 2026 Champion of Champions takes place from Monday 9 November to Sunday 15 November at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
The tournament features four groups, with each group playing across a designated day. Two opening matches take place in each group, followed by an evening group final. All group matches are played over a best-of-seven-frame format, while the group finals are best of 11 frames.
The winners of the four groups progress to the semi-finals, which take place on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November. The final is scheduled for Sunday 15 November and will be played over a best-of-19-frame format across afternoon and evening sessions.
The opening group matches begin at 1pm, with the group finals scheduled for 7pm. Both semi-finals also start at 7pm, while the final will feature afternoon and evening sessions.
Where Is The Champion of Champions Snooker 2026 Held?
The 2026 Champion of Champions will be staged at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, England. The venue has hosted the tournament in recent editions and will welcome the competition back from 9 to 15 November.
Leicester is particularly significant for defending champion Mark Selby, who will compete in front of his home supporters. His victory in the 2025 final made the 2026 edition an especially interesting occasion, as he attempts to defend his title in his hometown.
The Mattioli Arena provides an established setting for professional snooker, with facilities designed to accommodate players, spectators and televised sporting events. Its return as the tournament venue also gives the competition continuity following the previous year’s successful edition.
Who Won The Champion of Champions Snooker Last Year?
Mark Selby won the 2025 Champion of Champions, defeating Judd Trump 10–5 in the final at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester on 16 November 2025.
The victory gave Selby his first Champion of Champions title. It was also an important achievement after a nine-month wait for another tournament victory, ending his barren spell in impressive fashion.
Trump started the final strongly and established an early advantage, producing breaks of 111, 73 and 114. However, Selby gradually took control of the contest, using his tactical experience and excellent break-building to turn the match around.
After the scores reached 5–5, Selby won five of the remaining frames to secure the trophy. He finished the match in outstanding style with three consecutive century breaks, underlining the quality of his performance.
What Is The Prize Money For The Champion of Champions Snooker?
The 2026 Champion of Champions has a confirmed total prize fund of £440,000. The winner will collect £150,000, while the runner-up receives £60,000.
The substantial winner’s share reflects the tournament’s status as one of the leading invitational competitions in professional snooker.
Although the Champion of Champions is a non-ranking event, the financial rewards provide a significant incentive for players to perform well. Reaching the final offers a substantial return, while winning the competition brings both the trophy and £150,000 in prize money.
Who Is The Favourite To Win The Champion of Champions Snooker?
The 2026 Champion of Champions features several players with realistic ambitions of winning the title. Mark Selby naturally deserves considerable attention as the defending champion.
His 10–5 victory over Judd Trump in last year’s final demonstrated his ability to combine tactical discipline with high-scoring snooker when the pressure increases. Playing in Leicester also gives him the opportunity to defend his title in front of his home supporters.
Judd Trump is another major contender. The former Champion of Champions winner remains one of the sport’s most accomplished break-builders and returns after finishing runner-up in 2025. His victories at the German Masters and Shanghai Masters during the current qualifying period underline his credentials.
World champion Wu Yize will also attract plenty of attention. His rise to the top of the sport has established him as one of snooker’s most exciting young players, and he will be looking to translate his world title success into another major invitational victory.
Other notable contenders include Zhao Xintong, Kyren Wilson, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy. Each brings considerable experience and the ability to produce outstanding snooker over a short-format match.
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