Snooker News

50 latest articles from SnookerWins.

News

Mark Allen Withdraws From Shenzhen Open, Extending Absence to Six Ranking Events

Mark Allen has withdrawn from the Shenzhen Open for personal reasons, extending his absence from professional snooker to six ranking events this season. The world number 13 has not competed since his World Championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize in early May.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

More Than a Flat Draw: The Tournament Structure Debate Snooker Can't Ignore

Former professional Peter Devlin sparked a heated debate about snooker's tournament structure this week — but the solution is more complicated than simply calling for a flat draw.

Emma Richards·
News

Mark Allen Withdraws from Shenzhen Open as Absence from Snooker Reaches Eight Events

Mark Allen has withdrawn from the Shenzhen Open, his eighth absence from competitive snooker since his agonising World Championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize earlier this year.

Andrew Blakely·
News

2026 International Championship Qualifiers: Draw, Schedule and What's at Stake in Leicester

The 2026 International Championship qualifiers run from 17–19 September at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, with players competing for places at the main event in Nanjing, China, later this autumn.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Brecel Breaks Duck as Northern Ireland Open Qualifiers Produce Drama in Leicester

Luca Brecel ended a barren run without a ranking event appearance by coming through the 2026 Northern Ireland Open qualifiers in Leicester, joined by Jordan Brown and a host of experienced professionals ahead of the Belfast showpiece.

Emma Richards·
News

Peter Devlin's Numbers Don't Lie: The Uncomfortable Truth About Snooker's Tiered Tour

Former tour professional Peter Devlin has sparked debate by highlighting a stark earnings disparity on the World Snooker Tour, pointing to figures that show Liam Davies earning less than Ronnie O'Sullivan despite winning more than three times as many matches this season.

Emma Richards·
News

Ali Carter Back in the Top 16: What It Means for UK Championship and Masters Qualification

Ali Carter has climbed nine places back into the top 16 following his English Open title victory, with major implications for UK Championship and Masters qualification.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Ali Carter Back in the Top 16: What It Means for UK Championship and Masters Qualification

Ali Carter has climbed nine places into the top 16 following his 2026 English Open triumph, with the UK Championship and Masters invitations now firmly in his sights.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Ali Carter Claims Seventh Ranking Title With Stunning English Open Comeback Against Mark Williams

Ali Carter produced a stunning second-session comeback to beat Mark Williams 9-6 and claim a seventh career ranking title at the 2026 English Open in Essex.

Emma Richards·
News

Carter's English Open Glory Fills the Champion of Champions Picture — With Two Spots Still to Claim

Ali Carter's 9-6 English Open victory over Mark Williams has earned him a seventh Champion of Champions invitation, making him the 14th player confirmed for the prestigious Leicester event in November.

Emma Richards·
News

Ali Carter Wins English Open at 47 — A Champion's Night in Brentwood

Ali Carter claimed his seventh ranking title with a stunning comeback victory over Mark Williams at the English Open, defeating the Welsh three-time world champion 9-6 in Brentwood to return to the world's top 16 at the age of 47.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Mike Ganley on Snooker's Culture: 'It's All About Respect'

Mike Ganley joined Shabnam Younus-Jewell on Framed: The Snooker Podcast to discuss the values he believes sit at the heart of the sport — with respect topping his list.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Efe Acikalin: The Turkish Trailblazer Bringing Snooker to a New Audience

Efe Acikalin's appearance on the Framed: The Snooker Podcast highlights the Turkish professional's role in bringing snooker to a new generation of fans — and what it means to pioneer a sport in an emerging market.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Williams Stages Stunning Five-Frame Comeback to Set Up Carter Final at English Open

Mark Williams came back from 1-5 down to beat Shaun Murphy 6-5 and will face Ali Carter in Sunday's English Open final — the first for both players in the event's history.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Williams vs Carter: A Final for the Romantics at the 2026 English Open

Mark Williams and Ali Carter contest Sunday's 2026 English Open final at the Brentwood Centre, with Williams chasing history as the oldest-ever ranking event winner and Carter bidding for a return to the top 16.

Emma Richards·
News

Murphy Edges Out Trump in Deciding Frame to Book English Open Semi-Final Spot

Shaun Murphy reached the English Open semi-finals with a nervy deciding-frame win over Judd Trump, who had levelled with a 112 clearance to force a decider. Murphy will face Mark Williams on Saturday evening after Williams defeated Liam Davies 6-3.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Williams Reaches 70th Ranking Semi-Final — But Admits He'd Rather Have Faced Anyone Else

Mark Williams reached a landmark 70th ranking event semi-final at the English Open, but the 51-year-old admitted he'd have preferred to beat almost anyone other than his young Welsh compatriot Liam Davies.

Andrew Blakely·
News

2026 English Open: Draw, Prize Money, Broadcast Details and What to Expect in Brentwood

The 2026 English Open gets underway in Brentwood this week, with defending champion Mark Allen absent and a £550,400 prize fund on offer at the fifth ranking event of the season.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Davies Stuns World Champion Wu Yize to Reach First Ranking Quarter-Final at English Open

Liam Davies produced a stunning upset at the 2026 English Open, defeating world champion Wu Yize to reach his first ranking event quarter-final, where he faces compatriot Mark Williams.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Davies Stuns World Champion Wu to Reach First Ranking Quarter-Final

Liam Davies produced the performance of his career to beat world champion Wu Yize 4-1 at the English Open, setting up a mouth-watering all-Welsh quarter-final against Mark Williams.

Emma Richards·
News

Mark Allen Pulls Out of International Championship Qualifying as Absence from Tour Deepens

Mark Allen has withdrawn from International Championship qualifying, extending an absence from the World Snooker Tour that now covers every event of the 2026/27 season so far.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Selby Survives Zhang Scare to Reach English Open Last 16 — Selby vs Wilson Incoming

Mark Selby edged past Zhang Anda 4-3 on the final black at the English Open to set up a last-16 showdown with Kyren Wilson in Brentwood.

Andrew Blakely·
News

English Open Last 16: Trump and Selby Chase Thirds as Draw Takes Shape in Brentwood

The 2026 English Open has reached its last 16 in Brentwood, with two-time champions Judd Trump and Mark Selby on opposite sides of the draw as both chase a record third Steve Davis Trophy.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Selby Survives Walden Scare as Top Seeds Make Their Mark at English Open

Mark Selby survived a 3-2 deficit against Ricky Walden to progress 4-3 at the English Open in Brentwood, as Judd Trump, Mark Williams and fellow top-ten seeds also advanced on a busy Tuesday.

Emma Richards·
News

Trump Acknowledges Snooker's Brutal Reality as English Open Campaign Gets Under Way

Judd Trump reflected candidly on the mental demands of professional snooker after a brisk 4-0 win over Jordan Brown opened his 2026 English Open campaign at the Brentwood Centre.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Oliver Lines Sends a Statement to the Snooker World: World Number One Zhao Xintong Beaten at English Open

Oliver Lines produced one of the results of the season so far, defeating world number one and reigning world champion Zhao Xintong 4-2 in the first round of the English Open in Brentwood.

Emma Richards·
News

Jak Jones Grinds Down Selby to Claim British Open Crown and Second Ranking Title

Jak Jones claimed the second ranking title of his career with a composed 10-6 victory over four-time world champion Mark Selby in the British Open final on 6 September 2026.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Jak Jones Claims British Open Title With Commanding Win Over Selby in Cheltenham

Jak Jones claimed the 2026 British Open title in Cheltenham on Sunday, defeating Mark Selby 10-6 to secure his second ranking event victory of the season and move to 18th in the provisional World Championship seedings.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Rankings Update: Selby Returns to Top Two as Jak Jones Climbs Nine Places After British Open

Jak Jones climbed nine places in the world rankings after claiming his second ranking title of the season at the 2026 British Open, while Mark Selby returned to the top two following his runner-up finish in Cheltenham.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Mike Ganley on Respect, Community and the Soul of Snooker

A recent episode of Framed: The Snooker Podcast features Essex's Mike Ganley on respect, grassroots culture and the values that hold snooker together at every level of the game.

Emma Richards·
News

Efe Acikalin: The Turkish Trailblazer Bringing Snooker to a New Audience

Efe Acikalin is putting Turkish snooker on the map, and his recent appearance on the Framed podcast is a compelling listen for anyone who loves the sport beyond the rankings.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Jones Stuns Trump to Reach British Open Final Against Selby in Career-Defining Week

Jak Jones defeated Judd Trump 6-3 in a dramatic semi-final comeback to set up a British Open final against Mark Selby, who reached his 40th ranking event final with a 6-3 win over Liam Highfield.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

British Open Final Tip: Back Selby to Claim the Clive Everton Trophy in Cheltenham

Mark Selby takes on Jak Jones in the 2026 British Open final at the Centaur in Cheltenham on Sunday — here's our tip and analysis for the title decider.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Where the Horses End and the Snooker Begins: A First Visit to Cheltenham's British Open

Chris Shaw, author of To the Max, makes his first visit to the Unibet British Open at Cheltenham's Centaur — and finds a venue where snooker and horse racing feel like natural stablemates.

Emma Richards·
News

Trump Demolishes World Number One Zhao to Storm Into British Open Semi-Finals

Judd Trump crushed world number one Zhao Xintong 5-1 to reach the British Open semi-finals, and the 31-time ranking event winner looks a compelling betting proposition heading into Saturday's last four.

Andrew Blakely·
News

British Open Semi-Finals: Selby Seeks 27th Title as All-British Last Four Takes Shape

The 2026 British Open semi-finals are set for an all-British affair in Cheltenham, with Mark Selby facing Liam Highfield and Judd Trump taking on Jak Jones as all four players chase the £100,000 top prize.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Lisowski Eyes British Open Glory on Home Turf — Back Him to Strike While He's Hot

Jack Lisowski is fresh, firing, and playing on home turf at the British Open — here is why the Cheltenham man deserves serious backing this week.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Stan Moody Stuns John Higgins to Reach British Open Quarter-Finals

Stan Moody defeated four-time champion John Higgins 4-2 in the British Open last 16, reaching the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year with a composed closing performance in Cheltenham.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Eight Left, One Trophy: Breaking Down the 2026 British Open Quarter-Finals

Eight players remain at the 2026 British Open in Cheltenham, with a £100,000 prize and the Clive Everton Trophy on the line across four compelling quarter-final ties this Friday.

Emma Richards·
News

Running on Empty: Mark Selby Battles Jet Lag and the Clock at the British Open

Mark Selby is winning at the British Open this week despite being floored by jet lag after returning from the Chinese swing — and he only found out about his double fixture at half 11 at night.

Emma Richards·
News

Sheffield and World Snooker Tour Sign Landmark Deal to Keep World Championship at the Crucible Until at Least 2045

Sheffield City Council and World Snooker Limited have formally signed a contract keeping the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre until at least 2045, with a projected total economic impact of £208 million if extended to 2050.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Murphy Knocked Out as Gilbert Ends Defending Champion's British Open Campaign

Shaun Murphy's defence of the British Open ended at the second-round stage as David Gilbert posted a 4-2 victory in Cheltenham, with Gilbert's 117 break setting the tone for a disciplined winning display.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Wilson's Ranking Event Slump Deepens After Highfield Defeat at British Open

Kyren Wilson's ranking event struggles deepened at the 2026 British Open as Liam Highfield produced a classy 4-1 victory to dump the former world champion out in the last 32 in Cheltenham.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Hendry: 'I'd Be Shocked If Chang Bingyu Misses The Masters' After Wuhan Open Triumph

Stephen Hendry says he would be 'shocked' if Chang Bingyu fails to qualify for the Masters after the 24-year-old's Wuhan Open triumph pushed him to a provisional ranking of 15th.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Gilchrist Makes It a Winnipeg Double With Pan Am Cup Glory

Peter Gilchrist claimed the 2026 PABSA Pan Am Cup in Winnipeg to complete a stunning ranking event double, beating India's Dhruv Sitwala 1,500–972 in the final.

Emma Richards·
News

Taom UK Women's Championship 2026: Bai Yulu the One to Beat as WWS Tour Season Gets Underway

The 39th Taom UK Women's Championship gets the 2026/27 WWS Tour underway this Friday in Leeds, with defending champion Bai Yulu heading a world-class field that includes newly crowned world champion Panchaya Channoi.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Steve Davis Heads to Bristol as Snooker On Your Street Brings Community Event to Yate

Steve Davis is set to appear at a free community snooker event in Yate, Bristol this Tuesday evening as the Snooker On Your Street initiative — a joint programme between Smart Energy GB and World Snooker Tour — heads to the South West.

Jonathan Ashby·
News

Wu vs Wilson: Two World Champions Collide at the British Open

World champion Wu Yize and 2024 Crucible winner Kyren Wilson are set for an early-round showdown at the British Open in Cheltenham, after both came through their opening matches on Monday.

Emma Richards·
News

Brecel's Tour Survival Battle Is Real — And the Window to Save It Is Narrowing Fast

Luca Brecel has now fallen at the qualifying stage of five consecutive ranking events after squandering a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 to Chris Wakelin at the British Open — and his provisional world ranking of 65 means tour survival is now a very real concern.

Andrew Blakely·
News

Sanderson Lam Tops Q Tour Rankings After Maiden Title at Northern Snooker Centre

Sanderson Lam claimed his maiden Q Tour title at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds on Sunday, defeating Farakh Ajaib 4-1 in the final to move immediately to the top of the early season rankings.

Jonathan Ashby·