The 2026 China Open begins on Saturday in Taiyuan, marking the return of one of snooker's most consequential tournaments after a seven-year absence. The event, which last took place in 2019, was dropped from the calendar in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Tournament That Changed Snooker
The China Open's significance is deeply tied to the 2005 edition, which played a pivotal role in shaping the modern professional circuit. That year, a 17-year-old Ding Junhui captured the title in Beijing, defeating Stephen Hendry 9-5 in the final. The match drew an estimated 110 million viewers in China, igniting a snooker boom in the country.
Ding's victory was not just a personal triumph; it sparked a revolution. Since then, the number of Chinese players on the main tour has grown from three in 2005 to 31 today. Chinese players have also achieved global success, with Zhao Xintong becoming the first Chinese world champion in 2025, followed by Wu Yize in 2026.
A New Era in Taiyuan
The 2026 China Open features a top prize of £250,000 and is being held in Taiyuan for the first time, having been staged in Beijing from 2005-2019. Neil Robertson is the defending champion, having beaten Jack Lisowski in the last staging of the event.
Ding, who also won the China Open in 2014, expressed hope for more Chinese success in the future. 'I look forward to seeing wave after wave of young athletes grow into world-class stars,' he told Xinhua. 'I hope more tournaments, even the Snooker World Championship, can be hosted in China.'
Schedule Highlights
The tournament kicks off with a wildcard round and last-32 matches on Saturday, featuring top players like Mark Williams, Ronnie O'Sullivan, and Judd Trump. Notable matches include Ding Junhui facing David Gilbert, and Wu Yize taking on Yao Pengcheng.
