Ronnie O’Sullivan will probably be invited to compete on the 2026 Champion of Champions after Wu Yize was confirmed because the Shenzhen Open champion.
Wu beat fellow Chinese language cueist Yuan Sijun 10-5 to assert his third profession rating title on Sunday.
Because the 22 year-old had already certified for the Champion of Champions by his successes on the 2025 Worldwide Championship and the 2026 World Championship, it opens up a spot additional down the standards checklist.
Final month, it was confirmed that the World Seniors Championship had been added to that checklist – giving the out-of-form O’Sullivan a late lifeline to take part in Leicester.
At the least one repeat winner was wanted at both the Shenzhen Open or the Northern Eire Open, which represented the final two qualifying occasions.
O’Sullivan gained the World Seniors Championship for the primary time in Might.
The Rocket was beforehand some of the notable names left outdoors the line-up regardless of being the file four-time Champion of Champions winner.
The 50-year-old lifted the trophy in 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2022 and can be a serious addition to the sector if he accepts an invite.
There may be, nonetheless, no assure that O’Sullivan would take up the chance.
O’Sullivan withdrew from the Champion of Champions in 2015 and 2023 regardless of being the reigning champion on each events.
In newer instances, the previous world primary has additionally opted to skip numerous the UK-based tournaments.
This yr’s version of the celebrated occasion will probably be staged on the Mattioli Enviornment in Leicester from November 9 to fifteen, with a winner’s cheque of £150,000 up for grabs.
Mark Selby would be the defending champion, the Leicester man having bought his arms on the silverware for the primary time with a 10-5 last defeat of Judd Trump in 2025.
The likes of Trump, world champion Wu Yize, world primary Zhao Xintong, and Masters champion Kyren Wilson are additionally set to characteristic.
Others who will seemingly be concerned embody prime 16 members Shaun Murphy, Barry Hawkins, and Chris Wakelin.
Murphy hasn’t really gained something within the final 12-month span, however the Magician will get in because the Crucible runner-up as there have been so many repeat winners on the circuit throughout that point.
Chang Bingyu will make his debut within the occasion after profitable the Wuhan Open, whereas there will probably be second appearances for Jak Jones, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, and Alfie Burden.
Un-Nooh gained’t be the one Thai within the area as countrywoman Panchaya Channoi appears set for a maiden bow as nicely courtesy of her success on the World Ladies’s Championship.
Ali Carter additionally not too long ago secured his berth after profitable a seventh profession rating title within the English Open last on the Brentwood Centre.
That leaves the Northern Eire Open because the final counting occasion nonetheless to be determined beneath the qualifying standards.
Ought to there be one other repeat winner in Belfast, the remaining ticket will probably be awarded to the highest-ranked participant not already certified.
As issues stand, that will be Neil Robertson, a Champion of Champions winner in each 2015 and 2019.
The 2026 Worldwide Championship moreover takes place earlier than this yr’s Champion of Champions, but it surely doesn’t characteristic within the qualifying standards.
Former Champion of Champions winners John Higgins and Mark Williams are among the many different high-profile gamers who’re equally but to qualify.
2026 Champion of Champions Qualifying Standards:
Confirmed gamers in daring
Champions of Champions 2025: Mark Selby
World Championship 2026: Wu Yize
UK Championship 2025: Mark Selby
The Masters 2026: Kyren Wilson
167 Riyadh Season Snooker Champs 2025: Zhao Xintong
World Grand Prix 2026: Zhao Xintong
Gamers Championship 2026: Zhao Xintong
Tour Championship 2026: Zhao Xintong
German Masters 2026: Judd Trump
Worldwide Championship 2025: Wu Yize
World Open 2026: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
China Open 2026: Mark Selby
Wuhan Open 2026: Chang Bingyu
Shenzhen Open 2026: Wu Yize
Northern Eire Open 2026: TBC
Welsh Open 2026: Barry Hawkins
English Open 2026: Ali Carter
Scottish Open 2025: Chris Wakelin
British Open 2026: Jak Jones
Championship League Snooker Rating 2026: Jak Jones
Ladies’s World Championship 2026: Panchaya Channoi
Shoot Out 2025: Alfie Burden
World Championship Runner-Up 2026: Shaun Murphy
Shanghai Masters 2026: Mark Selby
Championship League Snooker Invitational 2026: Judd Trump
World Seniors Championship 2026: Ronnie O’Sullivan
Highest Ranked Participant not but certified on 26 October, 2026: TBC
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