Asian Snooker in 2026/27: The Complete Guide to Every Tournament in the Region

The story of modern snooker is increasingly being written in Asia. Where the sport spent decades looking inward — centred on the UK, shaped by British culture, dominated by British and Irish players — it has in the last decade shifted its gravitational centre eastward. China now hosts nearly one-third of all professional ranking events per season. The 2026 World Champion is Chinese. The 2026 World Grand Prix produced the first all-Chinese semi-final lineup in ranking event history.

For fans across Asia — and for the global audience following the sport's most exciting new chapter — this guide covers every major tournament with an Asian footprint in the 2026/27 season, what to expect, and how to follow every frame.

Why Asian Snooker Tournaments 2026 Matter More Than Ever.

The numbers are hard to ignore. Around 210 million people in China alone are estimated to be snooker or billiards enthusiasts. Over 100,000 billiards-related businesses were registered in China in 2023. There are 28 Chinese players currently on the World Snooker Tour, with more emerging through the Q Tour every season.

Beyond China, snooker is growing fast in Thailand — evidenced by Thepchaiya Un-Nooh's stunning 2026 World Open title — and has established roots in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India. The sport's commercial centre of gravity has shifted permanently.

The 2026/27 season reflects this. Here is what Asian fans have to look forward to.

2026 China Open | August 8–16, 2026

Venue: Riverside Sports Centre, Taiyuan, China Prize fund: £1,200,000 Winner's prize: £250,000 Defending champion: Neil Robertson (Australia)

The China Open returns to Taiyuan for what promises to be one of the season's most hotly contested early events. With a prize fund of £1.2 million and a home crowd that will be firmly behind every Chinese player in the draw, the atmosphere in Taiyuan will be electric.

Neil Robertson is the defending champion, but with Zhao Xintong, Zhang Anda, Zhou Yuelong, and the full depth of Chinese talent hunting a home title, the pressure on overseas players will be immense. Qualifying takes place at Leicester Arena in June 2026.

One to watch: Zhao Xintong. The world champion has never won the China Open — and the Chinese fans will be desperate to see that change on home soil.

2026 Wuhan Open | August–September 2026

Venue: Wuhan, China Defending champion: Xiao Guodong (China)

The Wuhan Open has quickly established itself as a fan favourite since its launch in 2023. Xiao Guodong defended his title in 2025 with a dramatic 10–9 final victory over Gary Wilson, and the tournament returns for its fourth consecutive edition in 2026.

Wuhan's snooker audience is passionate and knowledgeable. The city has embraced the tournament as a genuine cultural event, with long queues for tickets and a raucous home atmosphere that overseas players often find difficult to adapt to.

One to watch: Xiao Guodong hunting a third consecutive Wuhan title — which would be one of the more remarkable hat-tricks in modern snooker.

2026 International Championship | October–November 2026

Venue: Nanjing, China Prize fund: £825,000 Winner's prize: £175,000

The International Championship in Nanjing has become one of the most prestigious events in the Asian snooker calendar. Held at a purpose-built venue in one of China's most vibrant cities, it consistently produces high-quality snooker and passionate crowds.

Ding Junhui won the 2024 edition on home soil — a deeply emotional victory for the man who first introduced millions of Chinese fans to professional snooker back in 2005. The tournament holds a unique place in the Chinese snooker story: it is where the old generation and the new compete on equal terms in front of the fans who love them both.

One to watch: The battle between Ding Junhui's experience and the hunger of younger Chinese players like Pang Junxu and Fan Zhengyi.

Saudi Arabia Masters | August 2026

Venue: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Prize fund: High-value invitational

The Saudi Arabia Masters is not strictly an Asian event — but it represents the broader Middle Eastern expansion of professional snooker and has attracted a significant Asian viewership, particularly given the Chinese players who have performed so well there.

Returning for a third year, this high-profile invitational brings together the world's elite for a high-prize, high-pressure competition that has quickly become one of the most watched events outside the Triple Crown. Zhao Xintong won the 2025 Riyadh Season Snooker Championship — another statement of his current dominance.

Shanghai Masters | Returning in 2026/27

The Shanghai Masters has historically been one of the most prestigious invitational events in snooker, bringing top-ranked players to one of China's most cosmopolitan cities. After a period of absence, the event has been working toward a return to the calendar.

We will update this page with confirmed dates and venue details as they are announced. For Chinese fans, the return of elite snooker to Shanghai would be a major moment.

How to Follow Asian Snooker Live

WST Play — The World Snooker Tour's official streaming platform shows all ranking events globally in territories not covered by broadcast deals. For fans in Asia outside of China, this is the primary way to watch live.

Chinese broadcast: Events in China are broadcast domestically by CCTV and streaming platforms including iQIYI and Youku. Coverage is extensive and the commentary quality has improved significantly in recent seasons.

Snooker247 Live Scores — Follow real-time frame-by-frame scores for every ranking event at snooker247.com/snooker-live-scores. No subscription needed.

The Bigger Picture

What makes the Asian snooker calendar so compelling right now is that it is not just neutral ground — it is home ground for the sport's fastest-rising stars. When Zhao Xintong or Zhang Anda walks out in Taiyuan or Nanjing, they are playing in front of fans who have followed them since childhood, in cities where snooker has become part of daily life.

The 2026/27 season will tell us whether the Chinese dominance of 2025–26 was a peak or a platform. Either way, Asia is where the most important snooker of the next decade will be played.

Keep up with all Asian snooker news, results, and tournament guides at Snooker247.com