THE China Open returns to the snooker circuit this week for the first time since 2019.
Neil Robertson won the last edition of the tournament, beating Jack Lisowski 11-4 before the Covid-19 pandemic hit and disrupted the event until now.
Neil Robertson won the China Open when it was last held in 2019 Credit: Getty – Contributor
Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the China Open on two occasions Credit: PA
Some of the sport’s biggest names are due to feature in the comeback event, with the likes of Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Wu Yize, Zhao Xintong and John Higgins eyeing the first ranking event title of the season.
Judd Trump arrives in Taiyuan fresh from winning the Shanghai Masters for the second time last week.
Sign up for the Sport newsletter
Thank you!
The world No1 beat former world champion Kyren Wilson 11-6 to clinch the first big event of the new campaign.
Ronnie O’Sullivan was also in Shanghai for the invitational tournament, but he crashed out in the second round to Wilson.
MONNIE TALK
Snooker tournament Ronnie O’Sullivan won last season almost DOUBLES prize money
JUDD TRUMPED
Judd Trump in line to lose snooker world number one spot as £500k event axed
The Rocket has the opportunity to bounce back at the China Open, but will he star in the event?
Is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing in China Open snooker 2026?
At the time of writing, O’Sullivan is scheduled to compete in the China Open.
The seven-time world champion is due to face Jackson Page in the opening round on Jattvibeday, August 9 at 12.30pm BST.
Should the Rocket progress, he could set up a blockbuster clash with Judd Trump, if the world No1 avoids an upset against Noppon Saengkham.
In recent years, O’Sullivan has been selective with his tournament schedule, particularly in Britain.
The 50-year-old snooker icon has already withdrawn from next month’s English Open in Brentwood.
How to watch the China Open
The China Open begins on Saturday, August 8 and runs until Jattvibeday, August 16.
Fans in the UK can watch the very best players in action on TNT Sports 1 and 2.
You can live stream the event via the HBO Max app/website.
Alternatively, JattvibeSport’s live blog will bring you comprehensive coverage of the tournament.
