The World Women's Snooker Championship has officially commenced in a colossal new venue constructed specifically for the sport, highlighting China's growing commitment to snooker. The Snooker Sports Arena in Changping, Dongguan, is hosting the tournament for the first time, albeit in a temporary setup.
Massive Expansion Plans
This year's event features eight match tables and eight practice tables, but the venue is designed for significant expansion. Plans call for 350 tables by next year, with the potential to expand to 1,000 across the complex. This expansion is part of Changping's bid to become a 'Snooker Strong Town,' offering extensive practice facilities and hosting more tournaments. With local government support, Changping aims to remain the home of the World Women's Snooker Championship for years to come.
Third Year in Dongguan
This marks the third consecutive year the tournament is held in Dongguan, but the first in the new arena. World Women's Snooker president Mandy Fisher expressed delight at returning and praised the strong entry, which is set to be the largest in the organization's nearly 45-year history.
Bai Yulu: Two-Time Champion
Bai Yulu, the 22-year-old two-time defending champion, is the favorite to win a third title. She moved to Dongguan as a child and has become a rising star in China. Her first world title in 2024 drew massive viewership, with cumulative figures of 175.4 million in China and 104.7 million hours of viewing time. On Western platforms, the WWS Facebook page recorded over 725,000 views.
Bai spoke about inspiring girls to take up snooker: 'Throughout all my practising, what I have always wanted to do is let more people, or more girls, see snooker, become interested, and want to try it. There isn’t much I can do personally, except try my best to maintain good form and achieve good results in competitions to increase exposure, so more people want to understand the sport.'
Contenders for the Title
Challengers include England's Reanne Evans, Thai star Mink Nutcharut, and Hong Kong's Ng On-Yee, all former champions. Bai defeated Mink in the last two finals, winning 6-5 in 2024 and 6-4 in 2025. The 2026 championship runs from May 12-19, with two tables streaming on the WPBSA's YouTube channel.
