2026 Champion of Champions Snooker: Draw, results, schedule, prize money, how to watch

Following the conclusion of the 2026 International Championship in the Far East, big-time snooker action returns to UK shores for a unique and popular tournament that celebrates title winners from across the past 12 months.

In its current form, the Champion of Champions - which is organised by Matchroom Multisport - has been an annual fixture on the professional snooker circuit since 2013. Mark Selby is the current champion, having claimed the crown for the first time last year, and in his home city of Leicester.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is the most decorated player in Champion of Champions history with four titles to his name. Neil Robertson and Mark Allen are the other multiple-time winners with two titles each, and John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Judd Trump, Mark Williams, and Selby being the other names on an illustrious roll of honour.

How does the format work and who is playing?

The Champion of Champions - which is invitational and non-ranked - features 16 players in a straight knockout format. However, there is a slight twist to proceedings with a quarter of the draw completed across each of the opening four days before the semi-finals and final at the end of the week.

For those first four days (Monday to Thursday) there are two best of seven frames round one matches in the afternoon, with the winners of those ties then meeting in the evening for a best of 11 frames quarter-final (although pundits may call this the ‘group final’ for the day).

The best of 11 semi-finals are on Friday and Saturday night, with the two-session best of 19 final on the Sunday.

The qualification period for the 2026 Champion of Champions ran from last year’s edition up to and including last month’s Northern Ireland Open.

With a strict field of exactly 16, as several players won multiple professional titles during that cycle, there was space for organisers to invite champions away from snooker’s top flight - world women’s champion Panchaya Channoi and world seniors champion O’Sullivan.

As there was still an available space after October’s event in Belfast, the player who was highest on the world rankings who hadn’t already qualified received a call - this was world number three Robertson.

Other winners of this accolade from the past who are in are Murphy and Trump - as well as title holder Selby.

Channoi is one of three debutants this year alongside world champion Wu Yize and Wuhan Open champion Chang Bingyu.

Alfie Burden, Barry Hawkins, Chris Wakelin, Jak Jones, Zhao Xintong, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Kyren Wilson and Ali Carter all return for another Champion of Champions campaign.

What is the 2026 Champion of Champions tournament schedule?

• Monday 9th to Thursday 12th November: Round one and quarter-finals
• Friday 13th & Thursday 14th November: Semi-finals
• Sunday 15th November: Final

What is the prize money, how much does the winner get?

• Champion: £150,000
• Runner-up: £60,000
• Losing semi-finalists: £30,000 (each)
• Losing quarter-finalists: £17,500 (each)
• Round one losers: £12,500 (each)
• Total prize fund: £440,000

How to watch the 2026 Champion of Champions Snooker?

• UK: ITV4
• Netherlands, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland: Viaplay
• Czechia, Slovakia: Nova
• Poland: Canal+
• Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia: TV3
• China: Rigour
• Hong Kong: PCCW
• Singapore: Starhub
• Thailand: BG Sports
• Australia: Fox Sports
• New Zealand: Sky Network
• Rest of the world: World Nineball Tour YouTube channel and WNT.tv