The groups and schedule are now set for the 2026 Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions. Defending champion Mark Selby begins his title defence in front of a home crowd when the action starts at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena on Monday 9 November.
Snooker’s 16 best title-winners from the past year will compete in Leicester across seven days for one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport. Play gets under way at 1pm on Monday and is live on ITV in the UK.
Group Stages (Best-of-Seven)
Monday 9 November – Group One
Leicester’s own Mark Selby opens the week as defending champion. He also arrives as reigning UK Champion. His first opponent is Alfie Burden, whose Snooker Shoot Out triumph in December made him the oldest first-time ranking event winner in the sport’s history. Welsh Open champion Barry Hawkins and Scottish Open champion Chris Wakelin complete a group that promises a spectacular start to the week.
Tuesday 10 November – Group Four
World No. 1 Judd Trump leads Group Four after titles at the German Masters and Shanghai Masters. He was runner-up here last year and returns to Leicester looking to go one better. Former Champion of Champions winner Neil Robertson faces one of the stories of the week in Panchaya Channoi. The 18-year-old Thai star makes her debut on the big stage after winning the World Women’s Snooker Championship in May. Jak Jones also qualified twice over, as winner of the British Open and the Championship League.
Wednesday 11 November – Group Three
Group Three features a blockbuster opener: Shaun Murphy against Ronnie O’Sullivan, the event’s record four-time winner. O’Sullivan returns as World Seniors Champion, while Murphy was runner-up at the Crucible this year. In the other match, reigning World Champion Wu Yize faces fellow Chinese star Chang Bingyu. Chang makes his first Champion of Champions appearance after winning his maiden ranking title at the Wuhan Open.
Thursday 12 November – Group Two
The group stages close with one of the strongest groups of the week. Zhao Xintong comes to Leicester after a remarkable season that included the World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship. He meets World Open champion Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, one of the most entertaining players on tour. Masters champion Kyren Wilson takes on English Open winner Ali Carter in the second match.
Format
Each day’s two opening matches are best-of-seven, starting from 1pm. The winners meet in the evening session at 7pm in a best-of-11 group final, with a semi-final place on the line. The semi-finals are on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November at 7pm. The best-of-19 final is played over afternoon and evening sessions on Sunday 15 November.
Tickets
Spectator tickets for the 2026 Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions start from just £15 per session. Weekend seats are limited, so fans are encouraged to book early.
Broadcast Details
If you can’t make it to Leicester, you can follow the 2026 Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions around the world:
In territories without a broadcast partner, every match will be streamed live on WNT TV and the Matchroom Multi Sport YouTube channel.
The full list of international broadcast partners will be announced soon.
Don’t miss one of the most exciting weeks in the snooker calendar. Secure your seats today!
