British Open 2026: Live Scores, Draw & Schedule

The British Open returns to Cheltenham from 31 August to 6 September 2026, with the world's best back at the Centaur for one of the calendar's most unpredictable weeks — thanks to a random draw that can pit the biggest names against each other from round one. Bookmark this page — we'll be updating it with live scores, session results, and match updates throughout the tournament.

British Open 2026: Key Details

Dates: 31 August – 6 September 2026

Venue: The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse

Event type: Ranking event

Defending champion: Shaun Murphy

Broadcast: Channel 5

Qualifiers: 23–24 July 2026, Leicester Arena

Live Scores

Follow every frame as it happens on our Snooker Live Scores hub — updated in real time throughout each session of the British Open, from the opening round through to the final.

(Live scores widget/embed to go here once the draw is confirmed and matches begin.)

Schedule & Format

Unlike most ranking events, the British Open uses a fully random draw for every round rather than a seeded bracket, meaning any two players can meet at any stage — including round one. Most first-round matches are played out at qualifying in Leicester, but fixtures involving the top 16 seeds are held over to be played in front of the Cheltenham crowd.

We'll publish the full day-by-day schedule and session times as soon as the official order of play is confirmed by the World Snooker Tour.

The Draw

The full player draw for the British Open 2026 will be added here as soon as it's officially released. Because of the random format, this is one to watch closely — check back closer to 31 August, or follow our live scores page for real-time draw and results updates once the tournament is underway.

Players to Watch

Shaun Murphy defends the title — and the Clive Everton Trophy, named for the late snooker journalist and broadcaster — after beating Anthony McGill 10–7 in last year's final. With the draw handed out at random rather than seeded, expect fireworks early: recent editions have thrown together names like Judd Trump, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and China's Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize well before the closing stages.

We'll update this section with confirmed line-up details and form guides as the tournament approaches.

How to Watch

The British Open is broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5. International viewers can follow via World Snooker Tour's regional broadcast partners and streaming services — we'll add confirmed listings here closer to the event.

Stay Updated

First staged in 1985 and revived in 2021 after a 17-year absence, the British Open has become one of the season's must-watch ranking events precisely because its random draw refuses to save the big clashes for the final. For every score, every session, and every result — not just from Cheltenham but across the whole season — head to our Snooker Live Scores page and bookmark it for the rest of the tour.

This page will be updated regularly in the lead-up to and during the tournament. Check back for the latest draw, schedule, and live scores.