🇨🇳 The China Expansion

China hosts some of the most lavish and high-ranking events on the tour. The crowds here are huge, and the atmosphere is incredibly respectful.

• The Shanghai Masters (Early Season / Late 2025 – Early 2026)

• The Vibe: An elite invitational. It’s prestigious, glamorous, and features the top stars and local Chinese wildcards.

• Why Watch: It usually offers one of the highest winner's purses outside the World Championships.

• The World Open (Yushan, China - March 2026)

• The Vibe: A massive ranking event in a purpose-built snooker city.

• Why Watch: This tournament often determines who stays in the Top 16 before the World Championships.

• The Xi’an Grand Prix (August/September 2026)

• The Vibe: One of the newest "Mega Events" in China.

• Why Watch: Part of a long-term deal to bring snooker to historic Chinese cities, featuring a massive field of 128 players.

🇸🇦 The Middle East Revolution

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have recently become the "New Frontier" for snooker, introducing unique rules and record-breaking prize pools.

• The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters (Riyadh - August/September 2026)

• The Vibe: Often referred to as the "Fourth Major."

• Why Watch: The prize fund is astronomical (competing with the World Championships). It is a full ranking event that attracts every single top professional.

• The World Masters of Snooker (Riyadh - March 2026)

• The Vibe: This is an invitational event famous for the "Golden Ball."

• The Twist: A 23rd ball (the gold ball) is placed on the table. If a player completes a 147, they can pot the gold ball for a 167 break, usually with a $500k+ bonus attached!

🇩🇪 The European Powerhouse

• The German Masters (Berlin - January/February 2026)

• The Venue: The Tempodrom.

• Why Watch: This is widely considered the best venue in the world outside the UK. The arena is circular, and up to 2,500 fans watch the action in "The Cauldron." The atmosphere is more like a football match than a quiet snooker hall!

🌍 Other Global Stops

• The Turkish Masters: (Dates vary) A beautiful setting that brings the tour to the Mediterranean.

• The European Masters: Often held in countries like Austria, Belgium, or Germany, showcasing the growing talent across the European continent.

Summary of the 2026 Global Calendar: