Telford, England – The Players Championship snooker tournament is underway at the Telford International Centre, running from to , 2026. The tournament, featuring a total prize fund of £500,000, sees the top 16 players on the one-year ranking list battling for the title and a winner’s share of £150,000.
This year’s competition is particularly notable as defending champion Kyren Wilson is absent, having failed to qualify after a downturn in form. Wilson secured the crown in 2025, defeating Judd Trump 10-9 in a thrilling final, but currently sits 22nd on the one-year ranking list. The absence of Wilson opens the door for other contenders, most prominently world number one Judd Trump, alongside seasoned veterans Mark Selby, Mark Williams, and John Higgins.
The tournament schedule is structured as follows: the first round, also known as the Last 16, took place on and . The quarter-finals are scheduled for and , followed by the semi-finals on , culminating in the final on .
The 2026 Players Championship marks the tenth consecutive year the event has been held as a standalone tournament, having originated as the final of the Players Tour Championship series in 2017. It’s the 14th ranking event of the 2025–26 snooker season, positioned after the World Grand Prix and preceding the Welsh Open. This tournament holds the distinction of being the first professional snooker event to be broadcast on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, alongside coverage on Eurosport in mainland Europe, local channels in Asia and Africa, and WST Play for international audiences.
Early results from the first round, played on and , show John Higgins defeating Neil Robertson 6-1. Mark Allen overcame Wu Yize with a score of 6-3. Chris Wakelin secured a 6-2 victory over Xiao Gudong, and Mark Selby triumphed over Jack Lisowski 6-3. Further first-round matches saw Judd Trump in action, though details of that match were not immediately available.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, despite qualifying for the event, has chosen not to participate, creating an opportunity for John Higgins, who was 17th on the one-year ranking list, to compete. This highlights the competitive nature of the qualifying process and the impact of player form and decisions on the tournament lineup.
The prize money breakdown reflects the prestige of the event. In addition to the £150,000 winner’s prize, the runner-up will receive £75,000, while semi-finalists are awarded £30,000 each. Quarter-finalists will take home £25,000, and those reaching the Last 16 will earn £15,000. A bonus of £10,000 is also awarded for the highest break of the tournament.
The Players Championship continues to be a significant event on the snooker calendar, attracting top talent and providing a platform for thrilling competition. With the absence of the defending champion and the participation of leading players like Trump, Selby, and Higgins, the tournament promises a captivating conclusion on .
The tournament’s structure, as part of the Players Series alongside the World Grand Prix and the upcoming Tour Championship, underscores its importance in the overall ranking system and the pursuit of snooker’s major honors. The increased broadcasting reach, particularly with the addition of Channel 5 in the UK, is expected to further elevate the profile of the sport and attract a wider audience.
