Short answer: The 2026 Champion of Champions snooker runs 9 to 15 November at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester. Sixteen players who won events over the past season play in four groups of four, and the final is best of 19. In Australia, group sessions start between 9pm (WA) and midnight (NSW, VIC, TAS and ACT), and between 3am and 6am the next morning.
By Andy Gibson · Updated 5 November 2026
What is the Champion of Champions?
The Champion of Champions is an invitational snooker event for the players who won tournaments over the previous twelve months. It is promoted by Matchroom and is not a ranking event, so results do not count towards the world rankings. The current event began in 2013, and Ronnie O'Sullivan is its record four-time winner.
Mark Selby is the defending champion. He won the 2025 title at the same venue, the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, and opens his defence on the first day.
Who is playing in the 2026 Champion of Champions?
Sixteen players, drawn into four groups of four. Each group plays on one day. The organiser's field list names the event each player won to qualify; several players won more than one.
| Group | UK date | Player | Qualified as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Mon 9 Nov | Mark Selby (England) | 2025 Champion of Champions; also UK Championship 2025, China Open 2026, Championship League Invitational 2026 |
| Group 1 | Mon 9 Nov | Alfie Burden (England) | Shoot Out 2025 winner |
| Group 1 | Mon 9 Nov | Barry Hawkins (England) | Welsh Open 2026 winner |
| Group 1 | Mon 9 Nov | Chris Wakelin (England) | Scottish Open 2025 winner |
| Group 4 | Tue 10 Nov | Neil Robertson (Australia) | Remaining field place; champion in 2015 and 2019 |
| Group 4 | Tue 10 Nov | Panchaya Channoi (Thailand) | Women's World Championship 2026 winner |
| Group 4 | Tue 10 Nov | Judd Trump (England) | German Masters 2026 and Shanghai Masters 2026 winner |
| Group 4 | Tue 10 Nov | Jak Jones (Wales) | British Open 2026 and Championship League (ranking) 2026 winner |
| Group 3 | Wed 11 Nov | Shaun Murphy (England) | World Championship 2026 runner-up |
| Group 3 | Wed 11 Nov | Ronnie O'Sullivan (England) | World Seniors Championship 2026 winner |
| Group 3 | Wed 11 Nov | Wu Yize (China) | World Championship 2026 and International Championship 2025 winner |
| Group 3 | Wed 11 Nov | Chang Bingyu (China) | Wuhan Open 2026 winner |
| Group 2 | Thu 12 Nov | Zhao Xintong (China) | Riyadh Season Championship 2025, World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship 2026 winner |
| Group 2 | Thu 12 Nov | Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Thailand) | World Open 2026 winner |
| Group 2 | Thu 12 Nov | Kyren Wilson (England) | Masters 2026 winner |
| Group 2 | Thu 12 Nov | Ali Carter (England) | English Open 2026 winner |
Neil Robertson is the one Australian in the field. He plays Panchaya Channoi in the Group 4 afternoon session on Tuesday 10 November UK time, which is 9pm Tuesday in WA and midnight in NSW, VIC, TAS and ACT. The other Group 4 match is Judd Trump against Jak Jones.
How does the Champion of Champions format work?
Each group day has two sessions. In the afternoon, the four players meet in two best-of-7 matches. In the evening, the two winners play a best-of-11 group final, and the winner of that match goes through to the semi-finals.
| Stage | UK date and time | Match length |
|---|---|---|
| Group matches (two per day) | Mon 9 to Thu 12 Nov, 1pm | Best of 7 |
| Group finals | Mon 9 to Thu 12 Nov, 7pm | Best of 11 |
| Semi-final 1 | Fri 13 Nov, 7pm | See the organiser's schedule |
| Semi-final 2 | Sat 14 Nov, 7pm | See the organiser's schedule |
| Final | Sun 15 Nov, afternoon and evening | Best of 19 |
The group days run in the order Group 1, Group 4, Group 3, Group 2, so the winners of Groups 1 and 4 are known first.
What time is the Champion of Champions in Australia?
The UK is on GMT in November. Australia is 8 to 11 hours ahead: WA (AWST) +8, NT (ACST) +9:30, Queensland (AEST) +10, SA (ACDT) +10:30, and NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT (AEDT) +11. Every 1pm UK afternoon session starts between 9pm (WA) and midnight (east coast); every 7pm UK evening session starts between 3am (WA) and 6am (east coast) the next morning.
| Session (UK time) | WA (AWST) | NT (ACST) | QLD (AEST) | SA (ACDT) | NSW, VIC, TAS, ACT (AEDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 matches: Mon 9 Nov, 1pm | Mon 9 Nov, 9pm | Mon 9 Nov, 10:30pm | Mon 9 Nov, 11pm | Mon 9 Nov, 11:30pm | Tue 10 Nov, 12am |
| Group 1 final: Mon 9 Nov, 7pm | Tue 10 Nov, 3am | Tue 10 Nov, 4:30am | Tue 10 Nov, 5am | Tue 10 Nov, 5:30am | Tue 10 Nov, 6am |
| Group 4 matches: Tue 10 Nov, 1pm | Tue 10 Nov, 9pm | Tue 10 Nov, 10:30pm | Tue 10 Nov, 11pm | Tue 10 Nov, 11:30pm | Wed 11 Nov, 12am |
| Group 4 final: Tue 10 Nov, 7pm | Wed 11 Nov, 3am | Wed 11 Nov, 4:30am | Wed 11 Nov, 5am | Wed 11 Nov, 5:30am | Wed 11 Nov, 6am |
| Group 3 matches: Wed 11 Nov, 1pm | Wed 11 Nov, 9pm | Wed 11 Nov, 10:30pm | Wed 11 Nov, 11pm | Wed 11 Nov, 11:30pm | Thu 12 Nov, 12am |
| Group 3 final: Wed 11 Nov, 7pm | Thu 12 Nov, 3am | Thu 12 Nov, 4:30am | Thu 12 Nov, 5am | Thu 12 Nov, 5:30am | Thu 12 Nov, 6am |
| Group 2 matches: Thu 12 Nov, 1pm | Thu 12 Nov, 9pm | Thu 12 Nov, 10:30pm | Thu 12 Nov, 11pm | Thu 12 Nov, 11:30pm | Fri 13 Nov, 12am |
| Group 2 final: Thu 12 Nov, 7pm | Fri 13 Nov, 3am | Fri 13 Nov, 4:30am | Fri 13 Nov, 5am | Fri 13 Nov, 5:30am | Fri 13 Nov, 6am |
| Semi-final 1: Fri 13 Nov, 7pm | Sat 14 Nov, 3am | Sat 14 Nov, 4:30am | Sat 14 Nov, 5am | Sat 14 Nov, 5:30am | Sat 14 Nov, 6am |
| Semi-final 2: Sat 14 Nov, 7pm | Sun 15 Nov, 3am | Sun 15 Nov, 4:30am | Sun 15 Nov, 5am | Sun 15 Nov, 5:30am | Sun 15 Nov, 6am |
| Final, first session: Sun 15 Nov, 1pm (ticket listing) | Sun 15 Nov, 9pm | Sun 15 Nov, 10:30pm | Sun 15 Nov, 11pm | Sun 15 Nov, 11:30pm | Mon 16 Nov, 12am |
| Final, second session: Sun 15 Nov, evening (time TBC) | Mon 16 Nov, 3am if it starts at 7pm UK | Mon 16 Nov, 4:30am if it starts at 7pm UK | Mon 16 Nov, 5am if it starts at 7pm UK | Mon 16 Nov, 5:30am if it starts at 7pm UK | Mon 16 Nov, 6am if it starts at 7pm UK |
The organiser has not yet published a start time for the final's evening session; the other evening sessions all start at 7pm UK, and we will confirm it here when it is announced.
How can you watch the Champion of Champions in Australia?
The organiser lists Fox Sports as the event's broadcaster in Australia. In the UK it is shown on ITV, and in countries without a broadcast partner it streams on the Matchroom Multi Sport YouTube channel.
How much prize money is there?
The total prize fund is £440,000, with £150,000 to the winner.
| Finish | Prize per player | Players |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | £150,000 | 1 |
| Runner-up | £60,000 | 1 |
| Losing semi-finalists | £30,000 | 2 |
| Group runners-up (lost the group final) | £17,500 | 4 |
| First-round losers | £12,500 | 8 |
| Total | £440,000 | 16 |
What cue do you need to play snooker?
Most snooker players use a 57in ash cue with a tip of about 9 to 10 mm, jointed as a 3/4 split so the shaft runs unbroken through the bridge hand. The Powerglide Status and Swerve are both 57in 3/4 split ash cues with 9.5 mm tips, offered in 18 oz and 19 oz. Our guides to snooker cues vs pool cues and 1-piece, 2-piece or 3/4 split cues explain the choice in detail. See all 3/4 split cues and ash cues.
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Swerve - 2-Piece 3/4 Split Ash Cue with 6" Extension
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Viscount - 2-Piece 3/4 Split Ash Cue with 6" Extension
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Stryker - 2-Piece 3/4 Split Hand Made Ash Cue With Extension & Case
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High Performance - 2-Piece Premium Ash Cue with 6" Extension
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Which snooker balls and accessories do you need at home?
A full-size snooker table takes 52.5 mm balls: 15 reds, six colours and a cue ball. Smaller home tables usually take a smaller set, so check the size your table is built for first; our pool and snooker ball size guide covers each size. The Aramith Tournament Champion SuperPro 1G is a 52.5 mm 22-ball set in phenolic resin. See all snooker balls.
Tournament Champion SuperPro1G Snooker Ball Set
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Long shots over the colours need a rest, a spider or an extension. A screw-on telescopic extension fits the butt of a cue, and a hard 3/4 split case holds the two pieces of a split cue for travel.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the Champion of Champions 2026?
From Monday 9 to Sunday 15 November 2026 at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester. Group days run Monday to Thursday, the semi-finals Friday and Saturday, and the final Sunday.
Who is the defending Champion of Champions?
Mark Selby, who won the 2025 title at the same venue. He plays Alfie Burden in Group 1 on the opening day.
Is Neil Robertson playing in the 2026 Champion of Champions?
Yes. He is in Group 4 and plays Panchaya Channoi on Tuesday 10 November UK time: 9pm in WA, 10:30pm in NT, 11pm in QLD, 11:30pm in SA and midnight in NSW, VIC, TAS and ACT. He won the event in 2015 and 2019.
How do players qualify for the Champion of Champions?
By winning tournaments over the previous season. Where one player wins several events, the spare places go to later events or the rankings, which is how the field reaches 16.
Is the Champion of Champions a ranking event?
No. It is an invitational event, and its prize money does not count towards the world rankings.
What time is the Champion of Champions final in Australia?
The final's first session is listed for 1pm UK time on Sunday 15 November, which is Sunday 9pm in WA, 10:30pm in NT, 11pm in QLD, 11:30pm in SA and midnight in NSW, VIC, TAS and ACT. The second session follows in the UK evening, early on Monday morning across Australia.
How many frames is the Champion of Champions final?
Best of 19, played over two sessions on Sunday 15 November UK time.
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