Snooker International Championship 2026: Full Tournament Preview
The 2026 International Championship promises another exciting week of professional snooker, with leading players competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious ranking titles.
From the precision of break-building to the tactical battles that can decide tight frames, the tournament is expected to deliver plenty of drama for fans around the world.
The competition returns to Nanjing, China, where defending champion Wu Yize will look to build on his breakthrough victory in 2025. He faces a strong field that includes some of the biggest names in the sport, with players competing for ranking points, the title and a share of the £825,000 prize fund.
With the tournament approaching, attention is turning to the schedule, venue, previous champion, prize money and leading contenders. Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 International Championship.
When Is The International Championship Snooker 2026?
The 2026 International Championship takes place from Saturday 31st October to Saturday 7th November 2026. The eight-day ranking tournament will feature the world’s leading professional snooker players competing in a knockout format.
Qualifying matches were held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester from 17th to 19th September, with successful players progressing to the main event in China. The main tournament will feature the last 64, last 32, last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
The later stages will determine who reaches the final on Saturday 7th November. Match lengths increase as the tournament progresses, with the final played over a maximum of 19 frames.
Session times and individual match schedules should be checked against the official tournament listings, particularly for UK viewers, as the competition takes place in China and matches will be scheduled according to local time.
Where Is The International Championship Snooker 2026 Held?
The 2026 International Championship will be held at the South New City National Fitness Center in Nanjing, China. The venue also hosted the 2024 and 2025 editions of the tournament.
Nanjing has become an established destination for the International Championship, providing a venue for one of the leading events on the World Snooker Tour calendar. The tournament attracts a strong international field and offers Chinese snooker fans the opportunity to watch many of the world’s best players compete in person.
The event is organised as part of the professional ranking circuit, meaning results contribute to players’ world rankings. Performances in Nanjing can therefore have an important influence on a player’s position in the rankings and their prospects for the remainder of the season.
With the venue confirmed, the next question is who arrives as the defending champion following last year’s final.
Who Won The International Championship Snooker Last Year?
Wu Yize won the 2025 International Championship, defeating Scotland’s John Higgins 10–6 in the final on 9th November 2025.
The victory marked Wu’s first ranking title and represented a major breakthrough in his professional career. The Chinese player produced an impressive performance against the experienced Higgins, combining attacking scoring with effective control of the table.
Wu made four century breaks during the final, including a 137 clearance, demonstrating his ability to build substantial breaks under pressure. He also recorded a closing break of 108 to secure the title.
Higgins, a four-time world champion and one of snooker’s most experienced competitors, had reached the final after a strong run through the tournament. However, Wu maintained his advantage across the two sessions to claim the £175,000 winner’s prize.
Wu returns in 2026 as the defending champion, with the opportunity to win the International Championship for a second consecutive year. Other leading players will be aiming to prevent him from retaining the title.
What Is The Prize Money For The International Championship Snooker?
The 2026 International Championship has a total prize fund of £825,000, with £175,000 awarded to the winner. The prize structure rewards players for progressing through the knockout stages, while an additional award recognises the highest break recorded during the tournament.
The published prize-money breakdown is as follows:
- Winner: £175,000
- Runner-up: £75,000
- Semi-finalists: £33,000 each
- Quarter-finalists: £22,000 each
- Last 16: £14,000 each
- Last 32: £9,000 each
- Last 64: £5,000 each
- Highest break: £5,000
- Total prize fund: £825,000
The prize fund makes the International Championship an important event on the professional snooker calendar. In addition to the financial rewards, strong performances can help players improve their world ranking positions and strengthen their standing ahead of other major tournaments.
The highest-break award also gives players an additional incentive to produce exceptional scoring visits. However, success over a full match requires more than high breaks alone, with safety play, tactical judgement and composure often proving decisive.
Who Is The Favourite To Win The International Championship Snooker?
The 2026 International Championship features a competitive field led by defending champion Wu Yize and several established ranking-event winners. Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby, Kyren Wilson, John Higgins and Shaun Murphy are among the notable players expected to feature.
These players offer different strengths, and the outcome will depend on form, the draw and performances during the tournament. In a knockout competition, even established favourites can be eliminated by an opponent who produces a strong performance on the day.
The confirmed schedule, Nanjing venue and £825,000 prize fund provide the framework for another significant ranking event. With the defending champion returning and several experienced contenders in the field, the 2026 International Championship should offer plenty of competitive snooker.
Bet on the International Championship at Bet442
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