SNOOKER has returned to UK shores after a long few weeks in China with the British Open underway!.
The famous Cheltenham Racecourse is swapping the fences for the baize this week as it welcomes snooker‘s biggest stars.
Judd Trump has been knocked down from World No1 for the first time in two years Credit: Getty
Shaun Murphy won the British Open last year Credit: Getty
This tournament follows an FA Cup style draw where there is no seeding, meaning that the sport’s biggest stars can be pitted against each other from the first round.
Judd Trump, who has just been dethroned by Zhao Xintong as World No1, will be in Cheltenham as he looks to take back his throne.
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However, seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from this tournament for the fourth consecutive year, with the World Snooker Tour confirming it is for medical reasons.
Shaun Murphy beat Anthony McGill to win the title at Prestbury Park last year to kick off a wonderful 2025 campaign – The Magician is back to defend his crown once again.
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When is the British Open 2026?
The tournament kicked off on Monday, August 31.
It all comes to a close with the final on Jattvibeday, September 6.
The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse will host the action.
What TV channel is the British Open on and can it be live streamed FREE?
In some good news for snooker fans in the UK, the British Open will be broadcast for free this week, with Channel 5 airing the tournament.
You can also stream all of the action live and for FREE via 5’s app and website.
Alternatively, you can follow live updates from Cheltenham by following JattvibeSport’s live blog.
British Open 2026 schedule:
*All times in BST
Monday, August 31Round oneFrom 1pm
Mark Williams vs David Gilbert
Ding Junhui vs Anton Kazakov
Xiao Guodong vs Jiang Jun
Shaun Murphy vs Reanne Evans
From 2pm
Barry Hawkins vs Haohui Deng
Wu Yize vs Liu Hongyu
Mark Joyce vs Mateusz Baranowski
Florian Nuessle vs Kyren Wilson
From 7pm
Oliver Brown vs Zhao Xintong
Judd Trump vs Dylan Emery
Xinbo Wang vs Patrick Whelan
Chris Wakelin vs Luca Brecel
From 8pm
John Higgins vs Hossein Vafaei
Pang Junxu vs Neil Robertson
Mark Selby vs David Lilley
Ashley Carty vs Si Jiahui
Tuesday, September 1Round twoFrom 10am
Gong Chenzhi vs He Guoqiang
Chatchapong Nasa vs Chang Bingyu
From 1pm
Iulian Boiko vs Xu Yichen
Yang Liu vs Duane Jones
From 2pm
Joshua Thomond vs Artemus Zizins
Mahmoud El Hareedy vs Liam Highfield
From 7pm
Steven Hallworth vs Ishpreet Singh Chadha
Elliot Slessor vs Jamie Clarke
From 8pm
Ali Carter vs Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon
Phil O’Kane vs Michael Holt
Wednesday, September 2Round twoFrom 10am
Long Zehuang vs Carty/Jiahui
Matthew Stevens vs Fan Zhengyi
From 1pm
Bai Yulu vs Ross Muir
Jamie Jones vs Wang/Whelan
From 2pm
David Grace vs Zak Surety
Aaron Hill vs Ben Mertens
