The 2026 China Open main event is due to start on Saturday August, 8, 2026, just under four weeks from now. The official “launch” ceremony took place last week, on the 10th of July, in Taiyuan, China.
2026 China Open Officially Launched in Taiyuan, Trophy Design and Title Sponsor Revealed
The launch press conference for the 2026 World Snooker Tour·SATUO Window Cleaning Robot·China Open was held on 10 July at the Shanxi International Sports Exchange Centre in Taiyuan, China, officially marking the return of one of China’s most prestigious snooker events after a six-year absence.
The event confirmed Shanxi JiaShiDa Robot Technology Co., Ltd. (SATUO Window Cleaning Robot) as the Official Exclusive Title Sponsor of the tournament. Shanxi PangQuan Chateau Co.,Ltd was also announced as the Official Premier Partner. The sponsorship announcement marks a significant milestone in the commercial development of the returning China Open, as the event continues to build strong partnerships with leading Chinese brands.
The tournament trophy and medals were unveiled during the press conference, featuring distinctive design elements inspired by Shanxi’s rich cultural heritage and regional identity. The organisers also revealed a comprehensive event merchandise programme, including themed souvenirs, collectibles and lifestyle products, aiming to create a new sports culture experience beyond the snooker table.
The 2026 China Open will take place from 8-16 August at Binhe Sports Centre in Taiyuan. As one of the highest-level ranking events on the World Snooker Tour calendar, the tournament carries the same prize money ranking value as the UK Championship, placing it firmly among the leading tournaments in world snooker.
The player line-up promises a world-class spectacle, with all of the world’s top 16 players confirmed to compete, including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, defending champion Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy. The event will also feature a record 12 Chinese players in the last 32, including Ding Junhui, and the last two Crucible winners Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize.
The main stage will run for nine days, with matches from the last 32 through the semi-finals played over the best of 11 frames, while the final will be contested over the best of 19 frames across two sessions.
With strong support from Shanxi Province, Taiyuan City and the Chinese Billiard Sports Association, the China Open aims to deliver a world-class sporting event while promoting the integration of snooker, culture, tourism and urban development. The return of the tournament represents another important step in the continued growth of snooker in China and across the global sporting landscape.
Ronnie’s first match is scheduled on Sunday 9th of August, in the evening local time, in the afternoon for us in Europe. He is due to play Jackson Page in a held-over first round match.
I’m a bit surprised to to see Jason Ferguson on the official photo above. Maybe he was the one holding the camera? 😉 More likely he is on holidays … like most during the summer break.
