SHENZHEN EXPLODES: Trump, Zhao & Ronnie Enter a £177,000 Battle for Glory!
The snooker spotlight turns to China as the inaugural Shenzhen Open gets underway from 28 September to 4 October 2026 at the Shenzhen Sports Centre Gymnasium.
With £177,000 awaiting the champion and a total prize fund of £850,000, the stakes could hardly be higher. A host of the sport’s biggest names are ready to battle through a demanding field, where one unexpected result could completely change the shape of the tournament.
Among the headline attractions are Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong, Neil Robertson, Wu Yize, Mark Selby, John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, Kyren Wilson, Ding Junhui and Si Jiahui.
Defending champion Mark Williams returns after his historic triumph, while home favourites Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize will carry Chinese hopes on familiar territory. Ronnie O’Sullivan also returns to ranking-event action after missing the British and English Opens, adding another layer of intrigue to an already fascinating draw.
The tournament qualifiers were held from 19–22 July, with the top 16 players seeded directly into the Last 64. Mark Allen has withdrawn for personal reasons.
🔥 And then comes the big question: who survives Shenzhen?
One social-media prediction from Omar S has already sparked discussion. Based on what he describes as recent form and results, he gives Trump and Zhao a combined 75% chance of winning the tournament.
But snooker rarely follows the script.
With experienced champions, dangerous young talents and a home crowd ready to roar, Shenzhen could produce breakthroughs, shocks and dramatic twists from the opening frame to the final.
🏆 £177,000. One trophy. An entire field chasing history.
The Shenzhen Open has arrived. 🇨🇳🎱
Who will lift the trophy?
