2026 China Open Returns to Taiyuan After Six-Year Break
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
The 2026 China Open has officially been launched in Taiyuan, China, marking the return of one of the country’s premier snooker tournaments after a six-year absence.
The announcement was made during a launch event held at the Shanxi International Sports Exchange Centre, where organizers also introduced the tournament’s official trophy, medals and commercial partners.
Major Sponsors Announced
Organizers confirmed SATUO Window Cleaning Robot as the tournament’s exclusive title sponsor, while Shanxi PangQuan Chateau will serve as the official premier partner.
The partnerships highlight growing corporate support for the return of the China Open, one of the flagship ranking events on the World Snooker Tour calendar.
Tournament Scheduled for August
The 2026 China Open will be held from August 8 to August 16 at the Binhe Sports Centre in Taiyuan.
The event carries ranking status and offers prize money equivalent to the UK Championship, making it one of the most significant tournaments of the snooker season.
World’s Best Players Confirmed
The tournament is expected to feature a star-studded field, including all of the world’s top 16 ranked players.
Among the confirmed participants are:
- Ronnie O’Sullivan
- Judd Trump
- Neil Robertson (Defending Champion)
- Mark Selby
- Shaun Murphy
- Ding Junhui
- Zhao Xintong
- Wu Yize
Organizers also confirmed that a record 12 Chinese players are expected to compete in the last 32 stage, highlighting the continued growth of snooker in China.
Tournament Format
Competition will begin from the last-32 stage and continue through to the semi-finals with matches played over the best of 11 frames.
The championship final will be played across two sessions in a best-of-19-frames format to determine the 2026 China Open champion.
Promoting Sport and Tourism
With support from local authorities and the Chinese Billiard Sports Association, the event aims to showcase world-class snooker while promoting tourism, culture and regional development in Shanxi Province.
The return of the China Open is expected to further strengthen China’s role as one of the leading destinations for international snooker competitions.
