China Open snooker set for big return with record-breaking Far East prize pot of over one million pound
The return of professional snooker's China Open appears to be pretty much a done deal, and it is set to be more lucrative than ever before.
In a sit-down interview with journalist Dave Hendon a few weeks ago, World Snooker Tour Chairman Steve Dawson teased the idea of the prestigious tournament's comeback, and further details have now emerged online via the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association's website.
The CBSA published an official post as part of its bidding process for the competition with information on how it will work. It stated that 'The tournament is planned to be held in mainland China starting in 2026, with a target of at least three seasons and an annual prize pool of no less than £1.2 million'.
As per the announcement, there isn't a host venue or city for the tournament yet, with a closing date for interested applicants falling on November 21st.
First held in Shanghai in 1999, the inaugural China Open was won by Ronnie O'Sullivan. 'The Rocket' successfully defended the title in 2000 before Mark Williams claimed the third staging in 2002.
After a short absence, the competition returned in 2005 and was held in Beijing for the first time. This edition resulted in one of the most significant outcomes in snooker history, as an 18-year-old Ding Junhui won his maiden ranking event title on home soil when he defeated seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry in the final. The result changed the direction of the sport forever.
The China Open was held every year between 2005 to 2019 in the nation's capital city and held a regular spot on the top-flight calendar as the last tournament before the World Championship. However, the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it has not been played since.
With international travel back on the agenda in recent years, new tournaments in Asia have taken place; the Wuhan Open and Xi'an Grand Prix ranking events have made their bows, while Saudi Arabia has hosted top tier snooker for the first time with ranked and invitational events. There is also continued talk of a new competition in Qatar at some point in the near future.
Should a prize fund of £1.2 million at a returning China Open materialise - which would pretty much put in on par, financially-wise, with the UK Championship - it would become the most lucrative snooker event ever to be held in the Far East. The last two stagings of the China Open had overall funds of £1 million with a £225,000 winner's purse.
The prize funds for ranking events currently held in China are: Wuhan Open (£700,000), International Championship, World Open (£825,000), Xi'an Grand Prix (£850,000). The 24-player invitational Shanghai Masters has a pot of £825,000 (£210,000 goes to the champion).
The World Grand Prix moved to Hong Kong earlier this year - the first ranking event to be staged there since 1989 - with a kitty of £700,000 (£180,000 to the champion).
Whilst the information provided says 2026, it's unclear whether the China Open would return this season or next, or if it will replace anything else on the circuit.
In terms of this season, there are two weeks free between the Welsh Open (February 23 to March 1) and the World Open (March 16 to 22), so this could be an available slot, but that seems too soon.
Neil Robertson is the reigning China Open champion having won the last edition in 2019 when he defeated Jack Lisowski 11-4 in the final.
Williams and Mark Selby are the most decorated players in China Open history having each won the title three times, and made it to a further two finals.