World snooker stars to face off in Bao'an during National Day holiday

Organizers introduce the 2026 World Snooker Shenzhen Open during a briefing Spet. 4 at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Song Lu

The 2026 World Snooker Shenzhen Open will be held at the Bao’an Sports Center Gymnasium from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, event organizers announced recently at a briefing at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.

Top players from China and around the world, including Zhao Xintong, Ding Junhui, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump, will gather in Bao’an for the seven-day elite competition.

The Shenzhen tournament is a professional ranking event on the World Snooker Tour, with results counting toward players’ toward players’ official world rankings. It will offer a total prize fund of £850,000 (US$1.15 million), including £177,000 for the champion. The event also marks the return of a top-level World Snooker Tour ranking tournament to Guangdong Province after an absence of many years.

The tournament will feature a star-studded lineup.

Among the Chinese players, Zhao Xintong, a world champion and Bao’an native, will return to his hometown to compete. He will be joined by Ding Junhui, Wu Yize, Xiao Guodong and Si Jiahui, among other leading Chinese players.

The international field will include world-class stars such as Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams and Mark Selby, giving Shenzhen fans a chance to watch some of the sport’s leading players.

“This time, I’ll be competing right here in my hometown,” said Zhao, the tournament’s promotional ambassador, in a video message inviting fans to attend the event. “Everyone is welcome to come to Shenzhen during the National Day holiday to watch the matches, enjoy the food and have a great time.”

Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, delivered a video message at the briefing, describing Shenzhen as an international, young and vibrant city. He said he looked forward to seeing the world’s best players gather in Shenzhen and deliver exciting matches for fans.

The addition of the Shenzhen Open has helped create a snooker event network across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, said Zhao Liping, deputy chairman of the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association. The other events are the Dongguan Women’s World Championship, the Guangzhou Invitational and the Hong Kong Masters.

Early-bird ticket sales opened Sept. 4, with general sales scheduled to begin Sept. 10. Ticket prices will start at 60 yuan (US$8.94).

Organizers will also launch a “ticket stub program,” allowing spectators to use their event ticket stubs for discounts and special offers at selected venues across Shenzhen. The program is intended to link the tournament with tourism, dining, shopping and other leisure activities.