The 2026 Championship League (officially the 2026 BetVictor Championship League Snooker) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place from 22June to 15July 2026 at the Leicester Arena in Leicester, England. It was the seventh staging of the ranking edition of the tournament, which was first held in 2020. Organised by Matchroom Sport, it was the first ranking event of the 2026–27 snooker season, preceding the 2026 China Open. The winner received £33,000 from a total prize fund of £328,000.
Stephen Maguire was the defending champion, having defeated Joe O'Connor 3–1 in the final of the previous ranking edition, but he was eliminated in Stage two Group C.
Jak Jones won the tournament, defeating David Gilbert 3–2 in the final.
There were 53 century breaks made during Stage one, including a maximum by Si Jiahui in Group 6. There were 21 centuries made during Stage two, and 10 during Stage three.
Format The competition began with 32 rounds of group matches with each group consisting of four players. Two groups were played to a finish every day using a twotable setup in the arena. The groups were contested using a roundrobin format, with six matches played in each group. All matches in group play were played as bestoffour , with three points awarded for a win and one point for a draw. Group positions were determined by points scored, frame difference and then headtohead results between players who were tied. Places that were still tied were then determined by the highest made in the group. If the highest break was also tied, the next highest break made by the players was used.
The 32 players that topped the group tables qualified for the group winners' stage, consisting of eight groups of four players. The eight winners from the group winners' stage qualified for the two final groups, with the final taking place later on the same day. The winner received the Championship League title and a place in the 2026 Champion of Champions.
Broadcasters The event was broadcast by AMC Network in Hungary; BG Pathum in Thailand; Canal+ in Poland; Fox Sports in Australia; Eurasian Broadcasting in Ukraine and the Commonwealth of Independent States; Nova in Czechia and Slovakia; Rigour in mainland China; Sky Network in New Zealand; Sportscast in Taipei; TV3 in the Baltics; Viaplay in Iceland and the Netherlands; Viasat in Scandinavia; and by the Matchroom YouTube channels in all other territories.
Prize fund The breakdown of prize money for the tournament is shown below.
Stage one Winner: £3,000 Runner-up: £2,000 Third place: £1,000 Fourth place: £0
Stage two Winner: £4,000 Runner-up: £3,000 Third place: £2,000 Fourth place: £1,000
Stage three Winner: £6,000 Runner-up: £4,000 Third place: £2,000 Fourth place: £1,000
Final Winner: £20,000 Runner-up: £10,000
Tournament total: £328,000
Note: The champion receives a total of £33,000 (£3,000 + £4,000 + £6,000 + £20,000).
Stage one Stage one consisted of 32 groups, each having four players. Unlike other tournaments, where the defending champion is usually the top seed, the players were seeded according to their ranking, and the top 32 seeds were allocated to the 32 groups by their ranking number. Numbers in parentheses after the players' names denote the players' seeding, and (a) indicates amateur players not on the main World Snooker Tour.
Order of play Order of play as follows: Date Group 22 June Group 3 22 June Group 24 23 June Group 2 23 June Group 27 24 June Group 10 24 June Group 25 25 June Group 20 25 June Group 21 Date Group 26 June Group 14 26 June Group 28 27 June Group 8 27 June Group 15 29 June Group 18 29 June Group 29 30 June Group 9 30 June Group 23 Date Group 1 July Group 5 1 July Group 16 2 July Group 17 2 July Group 30 3 July Group 4 3 July Group 22 4 July Group 12 4 July Group 19 Date Group 6 July Group 11 6 July Group 13 7 July Group 6 7 July Group 26 8 July Group 7 8 July Group 31 9 July Group 1 9 July Group 32
Group 1 Group 1 was played on 9 July. David Grace won the group, eliminating the top seed Zhao Xintong, and advanced to Stage 2 Group A.
Group 1 matches
Zhao Xintong 3–0 Simon Blackwell David Grace 3–0 Gao Yang David Grace 3–0 Simon Blackwell Zhao Xintong 3–1 Gao Yang Gao Yang 2–2 Simon Blackwell Zhao Xintong 2–2 David Grace
Group 1 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 2 6 73 7 2 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 140 7 3 3 0 1 2 3 8 −5 95 1 4 3 0 1 2 2 8 −6 52 1
Group 2 Group 2 was played on 23 June. Ian Burns won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group B.
Group 2 matches
Steven Hallworth 3–1 Jeff Cundy Ian Burns 3–0 Jamie O'Neill Ian Burns 3–0 Jeff Cundy Steven Hallworth 0–3 Jamie O'Neill Jamie O'Neill 3–1 Jeff Cundy Steven Hallworth 1–3 Ian Burns
Group 2 table Player 1 3 3 0 0 9 1 8 97 9 2 3 2 0 1 6 4 2 70 6 3 3 1 0 2 4 7 −3 75 3 4 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 39 0
Group 3 Group 3 was played on 22 June. Dylan Emery won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group C. Kyren Wilson withdrew after playing one match, as his home was burgled.
Group 3 matches
Kyren Wilson 3–0 Haydon Pinhey Dylan Emery 3–1 Michał Szubarczyk Dylan Emery 2–2 Haydon Pinhey Kyren Wilson w/d–w/o Michał Szubarczyk Michał Szubarczyk 2–2 Haydon Pinhey Kyren Wilson w/d–w/o Dylan Emery
Note: w/d=withdrawn; w/o=walkover
Group 3 table Player 1 2 1 1 0 5 3 2 107 4 2 2 0 2 0 4 4 0 55 2 3 2 0 1 1 3 5 −2 37 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0
Group 4 Group 4 was played on 3 July. Iulian Boiko won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group D.
Group 4 matches
Iulian Boiko 3–0 Ian Martin Lan Yuhao 3–1 Joshua Thomond Lan Yuhao 3–0 Ian Martin Iulian Boiko 3–1 Joshua Thomond Joshua Thomond 3–1 Ian Martin Iulian Boiko 2–2 Lan Yuhao
Group 4 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 90 7 2 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 85 7 3 3 1 0 2 5 7 −2 47 3 4 3 0 0 3 1 9 −8 44 0 Note: Iulian Boiko and Lan Yuhao finished Group 4 equal on points and frame difference. Their head-to-head was a draw. Boiko made a higher break (90) and so was placed above Lan in the group.Boiko was the highest seed in Group 4 as there was an early withdrawal, so that there was no seed 4.
Group 5 Group 5 was played on 1 July. Chris Wakelin won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group E.
Group 5 matches
Chris Wakelin 1–3 Brian Ochoiski Yao Pengcheng 1–3 Luke Pinches Yao Pengcheng 3–0 Brian Ochoiski Chris Wakelin 3–0 Luke Pinches Luke Pinches 3–1 Brian Ochoiski Chris Wakelin 3–0 Yao Pengcheng
Group 5 table Player 1 3 2 0 1 7 3 4 128 6 2 3 2 0 1 6 5 1 40 6 3 3 1 0 2 4 6 −2 82 3 4 3 1 0 2 4 7 −3 48 3
Group 6 Group 6 was played on 7 July. Marco Fu won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group F.Si Jiahui made the second maximum break of his professional career in the first of his match against Xu Yichen. It was the 243rd official maximum.
Group 6 matches
Si Jiahui 2–2 Sean Maddocks Marco Fu 3–0 Xu Yichen Marco Fu 3–1 Sean Maddocks Si Jiahui 3–0 Xu Yichen Xu Yichen 1–3 Sean Maddocks Si Jiahui 2–2 Marco Fu
Group 6 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 106 7 2 3 1 2 0 7 4 3 147 5 3 3 1 1 1 6 6 0 96 4 4 3 0 0 3 1 9 −8 40 0
Group 7 Group 7 was played on 8 July. Jack Lisowski won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group G.
Group 7 matches
Jack Lisowski 3–0 Jack Bradford Liam Highfield 3–1 Zhao Hanyang Liam Highfield 3–1 Jack Bradford Jack Lisowski 3–0 Zhao Hanyang Zhao Hanyang 3–0 Jack Bradford Jack Lisowski 3–1 Liam Highfield
Group 7 table Player 1 3 3 0 0 9 1 8 87 9 2 3 2 0 1 7 5 2 98 6 3 3 1 0 2 4 6 −2 50 3 4 3 0 0 3 1 9 −8 36 0
Group 8 Group 8 was played on 27 June. Amateur player Dean Young won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group H.
Group 8 matches
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 2–2 Dean Young Louis Heathcote 3–0 Reanne Evans Louis Heathcote 1–3 Dean Young Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 2–2 Reanne Evans Reanne Evans 0–3 Dean Young Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 3–1 Louis Heathcote
Group 8 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 107 7 2 3 1 2 0 7 5 2 86 5 3 3 1 0 2 5 6 −1 111 3 4 3 0 1 2 2 8 −6 55 1
Group 9 Group 9 was played on 30 June. Elliot Slessor won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group H.
Group 9 matches
Elliot Slessor 3–1 Robert Milkins Liam Pullen 2–2 Liu Wenwei Liam Pullen 3–1 Robert Milkins Elliot Slessor 2–2 Liu Wenwei Liu Wenwei 3–0 Robert Milkins Elliot Slessor 3–0 Liam Pullen
Group 9 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 130 7 2 3 1 2 0 7 4 3 65 5 3 3 1 1 1 5 6 −1 86 4 4 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 77 0
Group 10 Group 10 was played on 24 June. Zhang Anda won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group G.
Group 10 matches
Zhang Anda 3–0 Daniel Womersley 3–1 Ross Muir 3–1 Daniel Womersley Zhang Anda 3–0 Ross Muir Ross Muir 2–2 Daniel Womersley Zhang Anda 3–1 Jiang Jun
Group 10 table Player 1 3 3 0 0 9 1 8 115 9 2 3 2 0 1 7 5 2 77 6 3 3 0 1 2 3 8 −5 96 1 4 3 0 1 2 3 8 −5 85 1 Note: Daniel Womersley and Ross Muir finished Group 10 equal on points and frame difference. Their head-to-head was a draw. Womersley made a higher break (96) and so was placed above Muir in the group.
Group 11 Group 11 was played on 6 July. Amateur Player Mark Joyce won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group F.
Group 11 matches
Stuart Bingham 1–3 Mark Joyce Jordan Brown 2–2 Mateusz Baranowski Jordan Brown 0–3 Mark Joyce Stuart Bingham 2–2 Mateusz Baranowski Mateusz Baranowski 3–1 Mark Joyce Stuart Bingham 2–2 Jordan Brown
Group 11 table Player 1 3 2 0 1 7 4 3 77 6 2 3 1 2 0 7 5 2 109 5 3 3 0 2 1 5 7 −2 62 2 4 3 0 2 1 4 7 −3 104 2
Group 12 Group 12 was played on 4 July. Ali Carter won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group E.
Group 12 matches
Ali Carter 3–0 Patrick Whelan Jamie Jones 3–1 Leone Crowley Jamie Jones 3–1 Patrick Whelan Ali Carter 3–1 Leone Crowley Leone Crowley 0–3 Patrick Whelan Ali Carter 2–2 Jamie Jones
Group 12 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 97 7 2 3 2 1 0 8 4 4 107 7 3 3 1 0 2 4 6 −2 68 3 4 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 57 0
Group 13 Group 13 was played on 6 July. Zhou Yuelong won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group D.
Group 13 matches
Zhou Yuelong 3–1 Allan Taylor Ben Mertens 1–3 Liam Graham Ben Mertens 0–3 Allan Taylor Zhou Yuelong 2–2 Liam Graham Liam Graham 2–2 Allan Taylor Zhou Yuelong 3–1 Ben Mertens
Group 13 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 4 4 97 7 2 3 1 2 0 7 5 2 46 5 3 3 1 1 1 6 5 1 71 4 4 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 50 0
Group 14 Group 14 was played on 26 June. Gary Wilson won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group C.
Group 14 matches
Gary Wilson 3–1 Duane Jones Lyu Haotian 1–3 Alexander Ursenbacher Lyu Haotian 2–2 Duane Jones Gary Wilson 3–0 Alexander Ursenbacher Alexander Ursenbacher 2–2 Duane Jones Gary Wilson 2–2 Lyu Haotian
Group 14 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 75 7 2 3 1 1 1 5 6 −1 58 4 3 3 0 2 1 5 7 −2 115 2 4 3 0 2 1 5 7 −2 74 2 Note: Lyu Haotian and Duane Jones finished Group 14 equal on points and frame difference. Their head-to-head was a draw. Lyu made a higher break (115) and so was placed above Jones in the group.
Group 15 Group 15 was played on 27 June. Pang Junxu won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group B.
Group 15 matches
Pang Junxu 2–2 Luo Zetao David Lilley 2–2 Fergal Quinn David Lilley 1–3 Luo Zetao Pang Junxu 3–0 Fergal Quinn Fergal Quinn 2–2 Luo Zetao Pang Junxu 2–2 David Lilley
Group 15 table Player 1 3 1 2 0 7 4 3 94 5 2 3 1 2 0 7 5 2 101 5 3 3 0 2 1 5 7 −2 103 2 4 3 0 2 1 4 7 −3 91 2
Group 16 Group 16 was played on 1 July. Lei Peifan won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group A.
Group 16 matches
Lei Peifan 2–2 Wang Xinbo Ishpreet Singh Chadha 3–0 Chatchapong Nasa Ishpreet Singh Chadha 3–0 Wang Xinbo Lei Peifan 3–0 Chatchapong Nasa Chatchapong Nasa 2–2 Wang Xinbo Lei Peifan 3–1 Ishpreet Singh Chadha
Group 16 table Player 1 3 2 1 0 8 3 5 101 7 2 3 2 0 1 7 3 4 118 6 3 3 0 2 1 4 7 −3 134 2 4 3 0 1 2 2 8 −6 73 1
Group 17 Group 17 was played on 2 July. Liu Hongyu won the group and advanced to Stage 2 Group A.
Group 17 matches
Joe O'Connor 3–0 Paul Norris Liu Hongyu 2–2 Oliver Brown Liu Hongyu 3–0 Paul Norris Joe O'Connor 3–0 Oliver Brown