The stage is set for a spectacular start to 2026's snooker calendar after the draw for the prestigious World Grand Prix produced a series of blockbuster first-round matches. The elite 32-player event will be held at the Kai Tak Arena in Hong Kong from February 3-8, featuring the top names on snooker's one-year ranking list.
Top Seeds Collide in Opening Round
Following the conclusion of the Scottish Open on Sunday, the final field for Hong Kong was confirmed. While champion Chris Wakelin had already secured his place, runner-up Chang Bingyu booked his spot with his run to the final in Edinburgh.
The draw has not been kind to some of the sport's biggest stars, creating must-watch contests from the very beginning. The standout tie is undoubtedly the clash between world champion Zhao Xintong and the legendary John Higgins. Higgins won their meeting earlier this season at the British Open, and 'The Cyclone' will be eager for revenge on the Grand Prix stage.
Defending champion Neil Robertson begins his title defence against Jak Jones, while the ever-popular Ronnie O'Sullivan will draw the crowds in his opener against Joe O'Connor.
Full Draw and High-Stakes Context
The complete first-round draw for the World Grand Prix is as follows:
(1) Neil Robertson v (32) Jak Jones
(16) Zhou Yuelong v (17) Stephen Maguire
(9) Mark Allen v (24) Ali Carter
(8) Judd Trump v (25) Yuan Sijun
(5) Wu Yize v (28) Anthony McGill
(12) Jack Lisowski v (21) Chang Bingyu
(13) Barry Hawkins v (20) Ding Junhui
(4) Mark Williams v (29) Zhang Anda
(3) Shaun Murphy v (30) Pang Junxu
(14) Gary Wilson v (19) Si Jiahui
(11) Xiao Guodong v (22) Kyren Wilson
(6) Ronnie O'Sullivan v (27) Joe O'Connor
(7) Chris Wakelin v (26) Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
(10) Elliot Slessor v (23) Stuart Bingham
(15) John Higgins v (18) Zhao Xintong
(2) Mark Selby v (31) Aaron Hill
Other notable matches include Mark Allen taking on Ali Carter, Barry Hawkins facing Ding Junhui, and the in-form Mark Selby playing rising Irish star Aaron Hill.
Prize Money and Season Implications
The tournament carries significant ranking points and a hefty prize fund. The winner in Hong Kong will pocket £180,000, the same reward Neil Robertson claimed last season when he whitewashed Stuart Bingham 10-0 in the final. Simply qualifying for the event guarantees each player £10,000.
Performance at the World Grand Prix also has major implications for the rest of the season. The subsequent Players Championship in Telford (beginning February 17) is restricted to only the top 16 on the one-year list, providing an extra incentive for players to go deep in Hong Kong.
Before the snooker world converges on Hong Kong in February, fans can enjoy the Masters at Alexandra Palace in January, followed by the German Masters in Berlin. The Championship League Invitational also starts on January 2, running until February 11.
