Shenzhen Open 2026 Snooker: Order of play, format, schedule, prize money, is Ronnie O'Sullivan playing, how to watch?
The world’s best snooker players are heading for China.
Previously staged in 2024 and 2025 in Xi'an as the Xi'an Grand Prix, this year is the first time that the rebranded Shenzhen Open has formed part of the professional snooker calendar.
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Last year in Xi’an Mark Williams became the oldest ranking event winner in history after the 50-year old beat Shaun Murphy 10-3 in the final.
It’s the sixth ranking event of the current snooker season, following the recent English Open.
Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament, which will include the return of, arguably, the greatest player in the history of the game.
When is the 2026 Shenzhen Open?
The tournament will be played from Monday, September 28, to Sunday, October 4.
What is the prize money at the 2026 Shenzhen Open?
There will be a total of £850,000 up for grabs, split as follows:
- Winner: £177,000
- Runner-up: £76,000
- Semi-finals: £34,500
- Quarter-finals: £22,350
- Last 16: £12,500
- Last 32: £8,250
- Last 64: £4,700
- Last 96: £1,600
- High break: £5,000
What is the order of play at the 2026 Shenzhen Open?
Here’s what’s happening in the first couple of days in UK time:
Monday, September 28
From 2.30am (round one)
- Chen Qien vs Andrew Higginson
- Wang Xinzhong vs Jamie Clarke
From 2.30am (round two)
- Mark Allen vs Ben Mertens
- Mark Williams vs Fan Zhengyi
From 7am (round one)
- Su Jinxiong vs Sam Craigie
- Dong Zihao vs Marco Fu
From 7am (round two)
- Neil Robertson vs Liu Hongyu
- Judd Trump vs Huang Jiahao
From 12.30pm (round two)
- Si Jiahui vs Oliver Lines
- Chris Wakelin vs Liam Davies
- Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jiang Hun
- Zhao Xintong vs Scott Donaldson
Tuesday, September 29
From 2.30am (round two)
- Barry Hawkins vs Liam Highfield
- John Higgins vs David Grace
- Shaun Murphy vs TBC
- Kyren Wilson vs TBC
From 7am (round two)
- Wu Yize vs TBC
- Mark Selby vs TBC
- Xiao Guodong vs Michael Holt
- Ding Junhui vs Ricky Walden
Is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing in the Shenzhen Open 2026?
The Rocket is returning to the baize in Shenzhen after sitting out a series of tournaments “for medical reasons”. He’ll play Jiang Hun in the second round.
How can I watch the Shenzhen Open 2026 on TV?
The Shenzhen Open snooker 2026 will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and available to stream on HBO Max.
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