The 2026 Grand Prix will start tomorrow in Hong Kong, in the very early hours of the morning for most of us. As usual in China, on the eve of the tournament the Chines social media shared a few images from the players involved in the tournament.

I’m not sure where the players were taken but obviously to some mountainous place dominating the city of Hong Kong, likely at “the Peak”.

… and it is indeed the Peak … as confirmed by this piece in the local press

Ronnie O’Sullivan to make rare Hong Kong appearance, but plans little snooker in 2026

by Mike Chan

Ronnie O’Sullivan will make a rare competitive appearance in Hong Kong this week at the World Grand Prix, but how much more snooker he plays this season entirely depends on whether he feels like it.

The Englishman is well-known for his mercurial approach to the game, and having skipped last year’s tournament at Kai Tak Arena, this will be his first official outing in the city since taking up Hong Kong residency in 2024.

Fans might even consider themselves lucky, with the seven-time world champion saying he only had one of two more events in his diary for the rest of the year.

“I’ll maybe play in Yushan, China [for the World Open], and then maybe just the World Championships,” said O’Sullivan, who lost in the first round of the German Masters last week. “But nothing is for sure, you never know.”

The 50-year-old has only played sparingly this season, competing in just five ranking events, and lost in the first round of the UK Championship, while having more luck in Asia.

“I don’t have a problem with the UK, I don’t have a problem with anywhere,” he said. “It’s just if I feel like playing, I’ll play.

“If I don’t feel like playing, then I won’t. You know, there’s no plan or no reason, you just decide near the time if it’s something you want to do.”

On Monday, O’Sullivan was among a host of high-profile players, including Kyren Wilson, Mark Allen, reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, and Ding Junhui, who appeared at a press event at The Peak ahead of the World Grand Prix.

Zhao, whose only win this season was at the non-ranking Riyadh Season Championship, said he was still adjusting to life as a world champion.

“There was indeed some pressure slowly surfacing this season, which wasn’t something I’d thought about before,” said the world No 8. “But I actually feel that this season is a transitional period, or a learning phase, for me. I also believe that I will perform better later on.”

It will be the first time the 28-year-old from Shenzhen has played competitively in Hong Kong, and he said he was looking forward to the occasion.

“I hope I can leave behind some great memories but I won’t be aiming too high,” he said. “It’s all about enjoying the competition and giving the spectators a great experience and impression.

“I think playing here is going to feel like playing at home because of the proximity, and I have a lot of relatives and friends here. I am sure the atmosphere will be great.”

Judd Trump’s victory over Shaun Murphy in the final of the German Masters has forced organisers into a change of schedule for this week’s tournament, which begins on Tuesday.

The pair, plus beaten semi-finalists Ali Carter and defending Hong Kong champion Neal Robertson, have had to delay their arrivals.

Organisers said spectators who had hoped to see them in action could still use their tickets to attend the rescheduled match, and be able to redeem one complimentary ticket of the same value at the arena for any session between February 3 and 5.

There is nothing really new in this situation. For many years Ronnie has been picking and choosing, and has. to a lage extend played on his own terms and only when he felt ready.