The China Open will return to the World Snooker Tour calendar for the first time since 2019 when it is staged in Taiyuan in August 2026.
Once a staple of the annual schedule, the tournament’s comeback represents a welcome addition to the calendar after several years of absence.
It also comes at a time when Chinese snooker is enjoying a significant surge, culminating in Zhao Xintong becoming world champion last year.
Five players from the country are currently ranked inside the top 16, and a record 11 have been competing in the 2026 World Snooker Championship draw at the Crucible Theatre.
There were already five tournaments in mainland China during the 2025/26 season – four ranking events in Wuhan, Xi’an, Nanjing, and Yushan in addition to a prestigious invitational in Shanghai.
The 2026 China Open will run from August 8 to 16 in the capital city of Shanxi Province, marking the first time the tournament has been held in Taiyuan.
A total prize fund of £1.2 million has been confirmed for the event, underlining its status as one of the most lucrative tournaments outside the major events.
The nine-day competition will feature 144 players in total, with qualifiers taking place in the UK before the final stages in China.
At the venue, 32 players will compete in the last-32 phase, with matches played over the best of 11 frames across two tables.
Two local wild cards will face qualifiers for places in the main draw.
The China Open was once of the sport’s most prestigious international tournaments, first staged in 1999 in Shanghai and won by Ronnie O’Sullivan.
It later moved to Beijing, where Ding Junhui claimed a famous victory as an 18-year-old in 2005, beating Stephen Hendry in a landmark moment for snooker’s growth in China.
Among the most successful players in the event’s history are Mark Selby and Mark Williams, who have each won the title three times.
Multiple champions also include Ding, O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson, Peter Ebdon, and Judd Trump.
World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson said the return of the event is a major boost for the global calendar.
“We are excited to bring the China Open back to our global calendar for the first time in seven years,” Dawson said.
“We are particularly thrilled to stage a tournament for the first time in the city of Taiyuan, which is renowned for its passion for sport and popularity of snooker.”
“The return of the China Open is fantastic news for all players with a high level of prize money to compete for in a vibrant location.”
Featured photo credit: WST
