Snooker Tournaments 2026/27: Global Calendar, Dates & Current Champions
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📖 15 min read • Last updated: 20 August 2026
Published: 16 August 2026
Dates and title-holder information checked against World Snooker Tour (WST), WPBSA and official tournament sources. Tournament dates remain provisional and may change.[1]
Introduction
The 2026/27 snooker season takes the world's leading players across the UK, Europe and Asia for another packed year of professional competition. From the UK Championship and Masters to major ranking events in China, Germany, Wales and Northern Ireland, the season ultimately builds towards the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
To make the season easier to follow, 147Pot has created this global snooker tournament calendar for 2026/27, bringing together the major professional competitions, dates, venues and current title holders in one place.
Feel free to bookmark this page and return during the season: as tournaments are completed, champions are crowned or dates change, the calendar will be updated at intervals throughout the season.
Quick Answer
The 2026/27 professional snooker season includes major tournaments across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Germany, mainland China and Hong Kong. Highlights include the UK Championship in York, the Masters at Alexandra Palace and the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible, alongside major ranking events such as the Wuhan Open, International Championship, German Masters and World Open.[1]
Please note: "Current holder" means the winner of the most recently completed edition of that tournament as at 16 August 2026. Where a 2026 event is in progress or a competition is new, this is stated clearly.
In This Guide
- 2026/27 Snooker Calendar at a Glance
- Major Snooker Tournaments in 2026
- Major Snooker Tournaments in 2027
- The Triple Crown: Snooker's Three Biggest Events
- How Global Is Professional Snooker?
- Q Tour and the Pathway to the Professional Tour
- Women's Snooker Tournaments
- Quick Answers
- Footnotes & Official Sources
2026/27 Snooker Calendar at a Glance
The table below lists the major professional tournaments from the start of the 2026/27 season through to the 2027 World Championship. Dates are based on the current WST and WPBSA calendars.[1][2]
| Tournament | Dates | Location | Current Holder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Masters | 27 Jul–2 Aug 2026 | Shanghai, China | Judd Trump (2026)[3] |
| China Open | 8–16 Aug 2026 | Taiyuan, China | Mark Selby(2026)[4]
|
| Wuhan Open | 23–29 Aug 2026 | Wuhan, China | Xiao Guodong (2025)[5] |
| British Open | 31 Aug–6 Sep 2026 | Cheltenham, England | Shaun Murphy (2025)[6] |
| English Open | 7–13 Sep 2026 | Brentwood, England | Mark Allen (2025)[7] |
| Shenzhen Open | 28 Sep–4 Oct 2026 | Shenzhen, China | Inaugural event – to be decided |
| Northern Ireland Open | 18–25 Oct 2026 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Jack Lisowski (2025)[8] |
| International Championship | 31 Oct–7 Nov 2026 | Nanjing, China | Wu Yize (2025)[9] |
| Champion of Champions | 9–15 Nov 2026 | Leicester, England | Mark Selby (2025)[10] |
| UK Championship | 28 Nov–6 Dec 2026 | York, England | Mark Selby (2025)[11] |
| Snooker Shoot Out | 9–12 Dec 2026 | Blackpool, England | Alfie Burden (2025)[12] |
| Scottish Open | 14–20 Dec 2026 | Edinburgh, Scotland | Chris Wakelin (2025)[13] |
| The Masters | 10–17 Jan 2027 | London, England | Kyren Wilson (2026)[14] |
| German Masters | 25–31 Jan 2027 | Berlin, Germany | Judd Trump (2026)[15] |
| Welsh Open | 8–14 Feb 2027 | Llandudno, Wales | Barry Hawkins (2026)[16] |
| World Grand Prix | 16–21 Feb 2027 | Hong Kong, China | Zhao Xintong (2026)[17] |
| Players Championship | 2–7 Mar 2027 | Telford, England | Zhao Xintong (2026)[18] |
| World Open | 15–21 Mar 2027 | Yushan, China | Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (2026)[19] |
| Tour Championship | 29 Mar–4 Apr 2027 | Manchester, England | Zhao Xintong (2026)[20] |
| World Snooker Championship | 17 Apr–3 May 2027 | Sheffield, England | Wu Yize (2026)[21] |
💡 Did You Know?
The WPBSA Group calendar contains more than 350 days of competitive snooker each year when professional, amateur, women's, disability, seniors and international events are included.[1]
🔴⚫ 147Pot Insight
The table above focuses on the major professional events fans are most likely to follow throughout the season. The complete global snooker ecosystem is much larger and includes qualifiers, Q Tour, women's events, disability competitions, seniors events, junior pathways and international amateur championships.
Major Snooker Tournaments in 2026
Shanghai Masters – 27 July to 2 August 2026
Location: Shanghai, China
Current Holder: Judd Trump
The Shanghai Masters is one of the highest-profile invitational events on the international snooker calendar. In 2026, Judd Trump defeated Kyren Wilson 11–6 to win the tournament for the second time in his career.[3]
Although it is not a ranking event, the Shanghai Masters attracts an elite field and has become one of the most recognisable stops on the sport's expanding Asian calendar.
China Open – 8 to 16 August 2026
Location: Taiyuan, China
2026 Champion: Mark Selby (2026)
Final score: Selby 10–6 Saengkham
The China Open returned to the professional calendar in 2026, with the main event staged at the Binhe Sports Centre in Taiyuan from 8–16 August.[22] Selby recovered from 4–2 behind to win 10–6. It was his first ranking title of 2026 and the 26th ranking title of his career. [4]
Wuhan Open – 23 to 29 August 2026
Location: Wuhan, China
Defending Champion: Xiao Guodong
Xiao Guodong enters the 2026 Wuhan Open as back-to-back champion after defeating Gary Wilson 10–9 in a deciding-frame final in 2025.[5] The tournament is another important example of China's growing presence on the World Snooker Tour.
💡 Did You Know?
Xiao successfully defended the Wuhan Open in 2025, meaning he will arrive in 2026 attempting to win the event for a third consecutive season.[5]
British Open – 31 August to 6 September 2026
Location: The Centaur, Cheltenham
Defending Champion: Shaun Murphy
The British Open is one of snooker's established ranking tournaments. Its random-draw format makes it particularly unpredictable because top players can meet much earlier than in a conventional seeded draw.
Shaun Murphy won the 2025 title, coming from 7–6 behind to beat Anthony McGill 10–7 in the final.[6]
English Open – 7 to 13 September 2026
Location: Brentwood Centre, Brentwood
Defending Champion: Mark Allen
The English Open remains an important Home Nations ranking event. Mark Allen won the tournament for the first time in 2025, defeating Zhou Yuelong 9–8 in a deciding-frame final.[7]
Shenzhen Open – 28 September to 4 October 2026
Location: Shenzhen, China
Current Holder: To be decided
The Shenzhen Open is a new addition to the 2026/27 professional calendar and therefore has no previous champion. Its inclusion adds yet another major Chinese city to the World Snooker Tour schedule.[1]
Northern Ireland Open – 18 to 25 October 2026
Location: Waterfront Hall, Belfast
Defending Champion: Jack Lisowski
Jack Lisowski produced one of the standout stories of the 2025 season when he beat close friend Judd Trump 9–8 in Belfast to win his first ranking title after years of near misses.[8]
🔴⚫ 147Pot Insight
The Northern Ireland Open is a good reminder that ranking events outside the Triple Crown can still create career-defining moments. Lisowski's breakthrough came after six previous ranking-final defeats, making Belfast one of the most significant victories of his career.[8]
International Championship – 31 October to 7 November 2026
Location: Nanjing, China
Defending Champion: Wu Yize
The International Championship is one of the biggest ranking events staged in China. Wu Yize won the 2025 tournament in Nanjing, beating four-time World Champion John Higgins 10–6 in the final to claim his first ranking title.[9]
That victory became even more significant months later when Wu went on to win the 2026 World Championship at the Crucible.[21]
Champion of Champions – 9 to 15 November 2026
Location: Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Defending Champion: Mark Selby
The Champion of Champions differs from a normal ranking tournament because its field is built largely around winners of significant events. Mark Selby won the title for the first time in 2025, beating Judd Trump 10–5 in the final.[10]
UK Championship – 28 November to 6 December 2026
Location: Barbican Centre, York
Defending Champion: Mark Selby
The UK Championship is one of snooker's three famous Triple Crown events. Mark Selby won the 2025 edition by defeating Judd Trump 10–8 in a dramatic York final.[11]
For many fans, the UK Championship marks the point at which the season moves firmly into its traditional winter centrepiece events.
Snooker Shoot Out – 9 to 12 December 2026
Location: Tower Circus, Blackpool
Defending Champion: Alfie Burden
The Shoot Out is one of the most unusual events on the calendar. Matches are played over a single frame with a shot clock, producing a very different tactical challenge from conventional multi-frame professional snooker.
Alfie Burden won the 2025 tournament to claim the first ranking title of his career.[12]
Scottish Open – 14 to 20 December 2026
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Defending Champion: Chris Wakelin
Chris Wakelin won the 2025 Scottish Open, defeating Chang Bingyu in the final after an impressive run in Edinburgh.[13]
The tournament traditionally provides one of the final major ranking-event conclusions before the Christmas break.
Major Snooker Tournaments in 2027
The Masters – 10 to 17 January 2027
Location: Alexandra Palace, London
Defending Champion: Kyren Wilson
The Masters is an invitation-only Triple Crown event featuring the game's elite. Alexandra Palace regularly creates one of the most distinctive atmospheres on the snooker calendar.
Kyren Wilson won his first Masters title in 2026, beating John Higgins 10–6 in the final.[14]
💡 Did You Know?
The 2026 Masters had a total prize fund of more than £1 million, with £350,000 awarded to the champion.[23]
German Masters – 25 to 31 January 2027
Location: Berlin, Germany
Defending Champion: Judd Trump
The German Masters is one of mainland Europe's best-known professional snooker events. Judd Trump won the 2026 tournament at Berlin's Tempodrom, defeating Shaun Murphy 10–4 and claiming the title for a record fourth time.[15]
Welsh Open – 8 to 14 February 2027
Location: Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Defending Champion: Barry Hawkins
The Welsh Open is one of the longest-running ranking events on the professional circuit. Barry Hawkins won the 2026 tournament by defeating Jack Lisowski 9–5 in the final, giving Hawkins the fifth ranking title of his career.[16]
World Grand Prix – 16 to 21 February 2027
Location: Hong Kong, China
Defending Champion: Zhao Xintong
The World Grand Prix rewards players who have performed strongly across the season. Zhao Xintong won the 2026 event in Hong Kong, producing five century breaks in a 10–6 final victory over Zhang Anda.[17]
Players Championship – 2 to 7 March 2027
Location: Telford International Centre
Defending Champion: Zhao Xintong
Zhao continued his outstanding 2026 run by winning the Players Championship in Telford, beating John Higgins 10–7 in the final.[18]
World Open – 15 to 21 March 2027
Location: Yushan, China
Defending Champion: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh won the 2026 World Open by beating Ronnie O'Sullivan 10–7 in the final. His victory was made even more memorable by a maximum 147 during the final.[19]
🔴⚫ 147Pot Insight
Fast, attacking players such as Thepchaiya Un-Nooh show why cue-ball control and confidence can be just as compelling to watch as tactical safety exchanges. If you're working on your own break-building, focus less on spectacular pots and more on leaving simple angles for the next shot.
Tour Championship – 29 March to 4 April 2027
Location: Manchester Central
Defending Champion: Zhao Xintong
The Tour Championship is one of the final elite events before the Crucible. Zhao Xintong beat Judd Trump 10–3 in the 2026 final, completing a clean sweep of the season's three Players Series tournaments: the World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship.[20]
World Snooker Championship – 17 April to 3 May 2027
Location: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Defending World Champion: Wu Yize
Everything ultimately leads to Sheffield. The World Snooker Championship has been staged at the Crucible Theatre since 1977 and remains the sport's most prestigious tournament.
Wu Yize became World Champion in 2026 at the age of 22, beating Shaun Murphy 18–17 in a dramatic deciding-frame final. WST records him as the second Chinese player to lift the trophy.[21]
The 2027 World Championship qualifiers are scheduled for 5–14 April, followed by the main Crucible event from 17 April to 3 May.[1]
💡 Did You Know?
The 2026 World Championship final peaked at around 4 million viewers, according to World Snooker Tour, underlining the continuing reach of the Crucible event.[24]
The Triple Crown: Snooker's Three Biggest Tournaments
Three tournaments hold a special place in professional snooker: the UK Championship, the Masters and the World Snooker Championship. Together they are known as the Triple Crown.
| Triple Crown Event | 2026/27 Dates | Venue | Defending Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Championship | 28 Nov–6 Dec 2026 | Barbican Centre, York | Mark Selby |
| The Masters | 10–17 Jan 2027 | Alexandra Palace, London | Kyren Wilson |
| World Championship | 17 Apr–3 May 2027 | Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Wu Yize |
Winning any one of these tournaments is a major career achievement. Completing all three across a career places a player in a select group associated with the sport's greatest names.
🔴⚫ 147Pot Insight
If you're new to watching professional snooker and don't have time to follow every tournament, start with the Triple Crown. They provide three natural checkpoints across the season: York before Christmas, Alexandra Palace in January and the Crucible in spring.
How Global Is Professional Snooker?
Snooker has deep roots in the UK, but the modern competitive game is increasingly international. The 2026/27 WST calendar includes major events in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Germany, mainland China and Hong Kong.[1][2]
China is especially prominent. Across the season, professional events are scheduled in Shanghai, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Yushan and Hong Kong.[1][2]
This wider footprint matters because it gives more fans the opportunity to watch elite snooker live and creates more opportunities for players from different regions to compete in front of home crowds.
💡 Did You Know?
The 2026 World Championship was won by Wu Yize, who became the second Chinese player to win the title after Zhao Xintong's breakthrough the previous year.[21]
Watching the world's best players can also be a useful learning tool for club players. Pay attention to cue-ball control, shot selection and the way professionals avoid unnecessary movement of the cue ball. If you're inspired to practise more, explore 147Pot's 3/4 joint snooker cues, snooker cue cases and snooker accessories.
Q Tour and the Pathway to the Professional Tour
The World Snooker Tour represents the sport's top professional level, but there is also an important international pathway beneath it.
WPBSA Q Tour provides opportunities for aspiring professionals to compete for progression towards the main tour. The 2026/27 Q Tour Europe series includes seven events in England, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria and Belgium.[25]
| Q Tour Europe Event | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Event 1 | 27–30 Aug 2026 | Leeds, England |
| Event 2 | 21–24 Sep 2026 | Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Event 3 | 22–25 Oct 2026 | Oberhausen, Germany |
| Event 4 | 12–15 Nov 2026 | Vienna, Austria |
| Event 5 | 3–6 Dec 2026 | Walsall, England |
| Event 6 | 7–10 Jan 2027 | Lochristi, Belgium |
| Event 7 | 11–14 Feb 2027 | Sheffield, England |
For fans who enjoy discovering future professionals before they become household names, Q Tour is well worth following.
🔴⚫ 147Pot Insight
Professional careers don't begin at the Crucible. The development pathway is built through years of club competition, amateur events, qualifying schools and tours such as Q Tour. For improving players, local league and open competition can be just as valuable for development as practise on your own.
Women's Snooker Tournaments
The global calendar also includes the World Women's Snooker Tour, providing international competition and a pathway for leading female players.
The WPBSA calendar lists the UK Women's Championship at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds from 4–6 September 2026 and the Australian Women's Open at Mounties Club in Sydney from 17–20 October 2026.[1]
| Women's Event | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| UK Women's Championship | 4–6 Sep 2026 | Leeds, England |
| Australian Women's Open | 17–20 Oct 2026 | Sydney, Australia |
For the latest women's schedule, draws and results, check the official World Women's Snooker calendar linked in the sources below.
⏱️ Quick Answers
Q: When does the 2026/27 snooker season finish?
A: The main professional season culminates with the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, scheduled from 17 April to 3 May 2027.[1]
Q: What are the three biggest snooker tournaments?
A: The UK Championship, Masters and World Snooker Championship are collectively known as snooker's Triple Crown.
Q: Who is the current World Snooker Champion?
A: Wu Yize is the reigning World Champion after beating Shaun Murphy 18–17 in the 2026 final at the Crucible.[21]
Q: Who won the 2026 Masters?
A: Kyren Wilson won the 2026 Masters, defeating John Higgins 10–6 in the final at Alexandra Palace.[14]
Q: Who won the 2026 Shanghai Masters?
A: Judd Trump won the 2026 Shanghai Masters, beating Kyren Wilson 11–6 in the final.[3]
Q: When is the 2027 World Snooker Championship?
A: Qualifying is scheduled from 5–14 April 2027, followed by the main Crucible tournament from 17 April to 3 May 2027.[1]
Q: Where can I find official snooker tournament dates?
A: World Snooker Tour and WPBSA publish the official and provisional tournament calendars. Because dates and venues can change, always check the official calendar before arranging travel.[1][2]
Follow the 2026/27 Snooker Season with 147Pot
From Shanghai, Wuhan and Nanjing to Berlin, Belfast, York and Sheffield, the 2026/27 calendar shows just how international modern snooker has become.
Bookmark the article and return throughout the season for the latest major tournament dates and title holders.
If watching the professionals inspires you to spend more time at the table, browse 147Pot's Snooker Cues, Snooker Cue Cases, Snooker Accessories and Snooker Cue Bundles.
Sources & References
View Footnotes & Official Sources
- WPBSA Events Calendar – global professional, amateur, women's, seniors and pathway event dates; states that more than 350 days of competitive snooker take place annually and that dates are provisional. WPBSA Events Calendar ↩
- World Snooker Tour – 2026/27 Season Calendar. WST 2026/27 Season Calendar
- WST – Judd Trump wins the 2026 Shanghai Masters 11–6 against Kyren Wilson. Trump Captures Second Shanghai Crown
- WST – Mark Selby wins the 2026 China Open, defeating Noppon Saengkham 10–6 in the final. Selby Too Strong For Saengkham In China Final
- WST – Xiao Guodong defends the Wuhan Open crown in 2025, beating Gary Wilson 10–9. Xiao Defends Wuhan Crown
- WST – Shaun Murphy wins the 2025 British Open, beating Anthony McGill 10–7. Murphy Is Best Of British
- WST – English Open tournament page; Mark Allen won in 2025, beating Zhou Yuelong 9–8. WST English Open
- WST – Jack Lisowski wins his first ranking title at the 2025 Northern Ireland Open, beating Judd Trump 9–8. Lisowski Wins Maiden Ranking Title
- WST – Wu Yize wins the 2025 International Championship in Nanjing. Wonderful Wu Captures Maiden Glory
- WST – Mark Selby wins the 2025 Champion of Champions, beating Judd Trump 10–5. Selby Wins Champion of Champions
- WST – Mark Selby wins the 2025 UK Championship, beating Judd Trump 10–8. Selby Captures UK Crown in York
- WST – Alfie Burden wins his first ranking title at the 2025 Shoot Out. Burden Wins First Ranking Title
- WST – Chris Wakelin wins the 2025 Scottish Open. Wakelin Crowned in Edinburgh
- WST – Kyren Wilson wins the 2026 Masters, beating John Higgins 10–6. Wilson Lands Maiden Masters
- WST – Judd Trump wins the 2026 German Masters, beating Shaun Murphy 10–4. Trump Wins German Masters
- WST – Barry Hawkins wins the 2026 Welsh Open, beating Jack Lisowski 9–5. Hawkins Wins Welsh Open
- WST – Zhao Xintong wins the 2026 World Grand Prix, beating Zhang Anda 10–6. Zhao Wins World Grand Prix
- WST – Zhao Xintong wins the 2026 Players Championship, beating John Higgins 10–7. Zhao Triumphs in Telford
- WST – Thepchaiya Un-Nooh wins the 2026 World Open 10–7 against Ronnie O'Sullivan and makes a maximum in the final. Un-Nooh Wins World Open
- WST – Zhao Xintong wins the 2026 Tour Championship 10–3 against Judd Trump and completes the Players Series sweep. Zhao Completes Players Series Slam
- WST – Wu Yize wins the 2026 World Championship 18–17 against Shaun Murphy. Wu Rules the World
- WST – 2026 China Open launch: 8–16 August at Binhe Sports Centre, Taiyuan. 2026 China Open Officially Launched
- WST – Masters tournament information and 2026 prize money. WST Masters
- WST – 2026 World Championship final peak audience of 4 million. World Championship Final Audience
- WPBSA – Q Tour Europe 2026/27 dates and venues. Q Tour Europe 2026/27
Additional Official Resources
Source information checked on 16 August 2026. Professional tournament dates, venues and formats can change. Always verify official event information before making travel arrangements.
