The world’s best snooker players are returning to Telford, Shropshire, next week as the 2026 Sportsbet.io Players Championship begins at the Telford International Centre. Running from February 16 to February 22, 2026, the event will feature the top 16 players from the one-year ranking list currently competing on the professional circuit.
Fans will have the chance to see high-profile stars such as world number one Judd Trump and recent World Grand Prix finalist Zhao Xintong compete in the single-elimination tournament. This year’s competition will see a new winner crowned, as the defending champion, Mark Allen, did not secure enough points during the 2025/26 season to qualify for the event. Notably, Ronnie O’Sullivan also qualified for the tournament but has since withdrawn from the field.
According to the World Snooker Tour, the matches involve only the most successful players from the past year of competition. For those unable to attend in person, the tournament will be broadcast on Channel 5 for the first time as part of a new multi-year partnership with the broadcaster.
Local businesses in the hospitality sector are expected to benefit from the arrival of players and fans throughout the week. Visit Telford has highlighted that the town has become a key location for the sport following successful events held at the venue in previous years.
The tournament will conclude with a final match on Sunday, February 22, 2026, to decide the champion. Further details regarding the knockout bracket and match times are maintained by the 2026 Players Championship records.
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