Today at the British Open Snooker 2026: Prize money, full Wednesday schedule, format, how to watch for free, when is John Higgins playing?
It’s day three on the baize in Cheltenham.
The British Open snooker got underway on Monday (August 31) and is the fourth tournament of the 2026/27 season.
First held as a ranking tournament in 1985, it disappeared from the professional snooker schedule in 2005, before returning in the 2021/2022 season.
Shaun Murphy was triumphant last year, beating Scotland’s Anthony McGill 10-7 in the final, and is back to defend his title.
Meanwhile John Higgins is still in the hunt for another win to tie Steve Davis’ record of five titles, with fellow Scots Anthony McGill, Ross Muir and Liam Graham also playing.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening today.
When is the British Open?
The British Open is held from August 31-September 6 at the Centaur Arena, Cheltenham.
What is the format of the British Open?
The competition is open to all tour card holders, with 128 players entering the first round.
The draw is completely random, meaning there are no seeds and high-ranked players can meet each other at any stage.
Many of the first round qualifying matches took place at the Leicester Arena between July 23-24, but those involving the best known players (including the world top 16) are played in the first couple of days of the competition itself before the second round matches.
The first four rounds are the best of seven frames (first to four), with the quarter-finals the best of nine frames (first to five), the semi-finals the best of 11 frames (first to six) and the final the best of 19 frames (first to 10).
Who is playing today at the British Open snooker?
Here’s who is playing today, Wednesday, September 2.
10am
- Stan Moody vs Yao Pengcheng
- Matthew Stevens vs Fao Zhengyi
- Lei Peifan vs Mark Selby
- Long Zehuang vs Ashley Carty
1pm
- Jamie Jones vs Wang Xinbo
- Bai Yulu vs Ross Muir
- David Gilbert vs Shaun Murphy
- Judd Trump vs Ricky Walden
3pm
- Noppon Saengkham vs John Higgins
- Zhao Xintong vs Daniel Wells
- Aaron Hill vs Ben Mertens
- David Grace vs Zak Surety
7pm
- Lyu Haotian vs Duane Jones
- Ishpreet Singh Chadha vs Jack Lisowski
- Mark Selby/Lei Peifan vs Jackson Page
- Iulian Boiko vs Ding Junhui
9pm
- He Guoqjang vs Artemijs Zizins
- Kyren Wilson vs Liam Highfield
- Jak Jones vs Chang Bingyu
- Pang Junxu vs Mark Joyce
What is the prize money at the British Open snooker?
- Winner: £100,000
- Runner-up: £45,000
- Semi-final: £20,000
- Quarter-final: £12,000
- Last 16: £9,000
- Last 32: £6,000
- Last 64: £3,000
- Highest break: £5,000
What is the schedule for the British Open snooker?
Here’s how the competition will play out:
- Monday, August 31 - Tuesday, September 1: Qualifying round
- Wednesday, Setember 2: 2nd round
- Thursday, September 3: Quarter-finals
- Friday, September 4 - Saturday, September 5: Semi-finals
- Sunday, September 6: Final
Is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing in the British Open 2026?
Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the tournament for medical reasons and have been replaced in the draw by Mark Joyce.
When is John Higgins playing his second round match?
What trophy is awarded at the British Open Snooker?
In 2022 the tournament trophy was renamed the Clive Everton Trophy in tribute to the popular commentator and longtime editor of Snooker Scene magazine.
How can I watch the British Open Snooker?
Live coverage of the tournament will be broadcast on Channel 5.
Who is favourite to win the British Open Snooker?
Zhao Xintong is the 16/5 favourite, followed by Judd Trump (7/2), Mark Selby (11/2), Chang Bingyu (13/2), and Kyren Wilson (7/1). John Higgins is a 10/1 outsider.
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