The 2026 Championship League Snooker commenced on Monday with Xu Si and Dylan Emery advancing from their first group phases.
Nonetheless, the dominant story from day one of many 2026/27 season’s opening rating occasion was the withdrawal of Kyren Wilson.
The previous world champion had already gained his opening fixture of the round-robin section when it was then introduced that he could be withdrawing from the occasion.
The explanation? An terrible scenario at his dwelling whereby burglars had damaged in and stolen private objects of worth together with money that was put aside for charity.
Wilson launched a press release on social media pleading for any info that may result in the return of the stolen items.
With the Kettering cueist out, Group 3 was decreased to a few folks and Wilson’s early victory over Haydon Pinhey scrapped.
Welshman Emery ended up topping the standings, taking seven factors in complete from the round-robin section.
Emery beat teenager Michal Szubarczyk in his first conflict earlier than drawing 2-2 with Haydon Pinhey, which means his walkover 3-0 end result towards Wilson proved sufficient to see him end in first.
Pinhey might have completed on the identical variety of factors however might solely handle a 2-2 draw towards Poland’s Szubarczyk on the finish of the day.
Xu, in the meantime, prevailed from a carefully fought Group 24 that noticed the 4 gamers separated by simply a few factors.
Crucially, the Chinese language competitor was the one one to go undefeated – beating Craig Steadman 3-1 in his first tie earlier than securing back-to-back attracts towards Julien Leclercq and Michael Holt.
Xu and Emery will transfer ahead to Stage Two, which can function the 32 group winners from Stage One.
One other 30 group winners will should be determined from this early part, with two extra teams scheduled for Tuesday in Leicester.
Ryan Day fronts Group 27 with Chang Bingyu, Jamie Clarke and Phil O’Kane, whereas Group 2 options Ian Burns and Steven Hallworth alongside newbie top-ups Jamie O’Neill and Jeff Cundy.
Championship League Snooker represents the opening rating occasion of the fledgling 2026/27 snooker season.
The general winner on July fifteenth will take dwelling £33,000 value of prize cash and rating factors, plus a ticket to the profitable Champion of Champions invitational later this 12 months.
Stay protection is obtainable for Eire and UK viewers on the Matchroom Multi Sport and Matchroom Pool YouTube channels.
Monday, June 22
Group 3 Outcomes
Haydon Pinhey w/o Kyren Wilson
Dylan Emery 3-1 Michal Szubarczyk|
Dylan Emery 2-2 Haydon Pinhey
Michal Szubarczyk w/o Kyren Wilson
Michal Szubarczyk 2-2 Haydon Pinhey
Dylan Emery w/o Kyren Wilson
Group 3 Desk
1. Dylan Emery – 7 factors
2. Haydon Pinhey – 5 factors
3. Michal Szubarczyk – 4 factors
4. Kyren Wilson – 0 factors
Group 24 Outcomes
Xu Si 3-1 Craig Steadman
Michael Holt 3-1 Julien Leclercq
Craig Steadman 3-0 Michael Holt
Xu Si 2-2 Julien Leclercq
Julien Leclercq 3-0 Craig Steadman
Xu Si 2-2 Michael Holt
Group 24 Desk
1. Xu Si – 5 factors
2. Julien Leclercq – 4 factors
3. Michael Holt – 4 factors
4. Craig Steadman – 3 factors
Featured picture credit score: WST
