English Open Snooker 2026 | Day One Preview and Order of Play
Robertson won the English Open in 2021 and 2024 (Credit: PA Images)
Neil Robertson begins his quest for a third English Open title, as the 2026 event gets under way in Brentwood on Monday.
Less than 12 hours after Jak Jones was crowned British Open champion in Cheltenham, the first Home Nations tournament of the 2026-27 series commences at Brentwood Centre.
It is one in which Robertson is the joint-most successful player – along with Mark Selby and Mark Allen – having lifted the Steve Davis trophy in 2021 and 2024.
The Australian opened his campaign with three successive quarter-final appearances at the Shanghai Masters, China Open and Wuhan Open.
However, he arrives in Essex off the back of a first-round British Open exit at the hands of Pang Junxu.
The first obstacle he must overcome is new professional Luo Zetao, who qualified via the CBSA Tour, with the 25-year-old having defeated Mahmoud El-Hareedy and Scott Donaldson in June to book his place at the main venue.
Elsewhere, Zhao Xintong launches his mission to progress beyond the last 16 of this event for the first time. The world number one plays fellow left-hander Oliver Lines, while 2017 runner-up Kyren Wilson takes on Mateusz Baranowski.
Last season’s series saw Chris Wakelin claim the biggest title of his career thus far at the Scottish Open. The world number 12 goes up against Louis Heathcote, with Ding Junhui playing Michael Holt.
Zhou Yuelong came agonisingly close to landing his maiden ranking silverware here 12 months ago, with the Chinese suffering a heartbreaking 9-8 defeat against Mark Allen in the final.
His quest to go one better starts with a tasty opener against teenage sensation Stan Moody, while another intriguing battle on the first day sees two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter take on Jackson Page.
Play breaks off at 10am BST on Monday with all matches contested over the best of seven frames at Brentwood Centre.
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English Open 2026 Schedule of Play
Monday September 7
Round One
10am
Ding Junhui v Michael Holt
Si Jiahui v Robbie Williams
1pm
Neil Robertson v Luo Zetao
Yuan Sijun v Tom Ford
Ali Carter v Jackson Page
Zhang Anda v Zak Surety
2pm
Chris Wakelin v Louis Heathcote
Jimmy Robertson v Gong Chenzhi
Kyren Wilson v Mateusz Baranowski
7pm
Elliot Slessor v Ashley Hugill
Zhao Xintong v Oliver Lines
8pm
Zhou Yuelong v Stan Moody
Joe O’Connor v Florian Nuessle