Shenzhen Open 2026 Snooker: Order of play, format, schedule, prize money, is Ronnie O'Sullivan playing, how to watch?

Previously staged in 2024 and 2025 in Xi'an as the Xi'an Grand Prix, this year is the first time that the rebranded Shenzhen Open has formed part of the professional snooker calendar.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is returning to the baize in the Shenzhen Open. | Getty Images

Last year in Xi’an Mark Williams became the oldest ranking event winner in history after the 50-year old beat Shaun Murphy 10-3 in the final.

Read more: Snooker Rich List 2026: Here are the 11 biggest earners of the season - how much prize money have Wu Yize and John Higgins banked?

It’s the sixth ranking event of the current snooker season, following the recent English Open.

Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament, which will include the return of, arguably, the greatest player in the history of the game.

When is the 2026 Shenzhen Open?

The tournament will be played from Monday, September 28, to Sunday, October 4.

What is the prize money at the 2026 Shenzhen Open?

There will be a total of £850,000 up for grabs, split as follows:

• Winner: £177,000
• Runner-up: £76,000
• Semi-finals: £34,500
• Quarter-finals: £22,350
• Last 16: £12,500
• Last 32: £8,250
• Last 64: £4,700
• Last 96: £1,600
• High break: £5,000

What is the order of play at the 2026 Shenzhen Open?

Here’s what’s happening in the first couple of days in UK time:

Monday, September 28

From 2.30am (round one)

• Chen Qien vs Andrew Higginson
• Wang Xinzhong vs Jamie Clarke

From 2.30am (round two)

• Mark Allen vs Ben Mertens
• Mark Williams vs Fan Zhengyi

From 7am (round one)

• Su Jinxiong vs Sam Craigie
• Dong Zihao vs Marco Fu

From 7am (round two)

• Neil Robertson vs Liu Hongyu
• Judd Trump vs Huang Jiahao

From 12.30pm (round two)

• Si Jiahui vs Oliver Lines
• Chris Wakelin vs Liam Davies
• Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jiang Hun
• Zhao Xintong vs Scott Donaldson

Tuesday, September 29

From 2.30am (round two)

• Barry Hawkins vs Liam Highfield
• John Higgins vs David Grace
• Shaun Murphy vs TBC
• Kyren Wilson vs TBC

From 7am (round two)

• Wu Yize vs TBC
• Mark Selby vs TBC
• Xiao Guodong vs Michael Holt
• Ding Junhui vs Ricky Walden

Is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing in the Shenzhen Open 2026?

The Rocket is returning to the baize in Shenzhen after sitting out a series of tournaments “for medical reasons”. He’ll play Jiang Hun in the second round.

How can I watch the Shenzhen Open 2026 on TV?

The Shenzhen Open snooker 2026 will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and available to stream on HBO Max.

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