Snooker World Open: China Billiards Tournament | TV Movie Details

John Higgins of Scotland is the reigning champion of the World Open snooker tournament, having secured his fifth title at the event in 2025. The tournament, currently held at the Yushan Sport Centre in Yushan, China, represents the last ranking Chinese event on the World Snooker Tour calendar before the World Championships.

Originally established in 1982 as the Professional Players Tournament by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, the World Open was created to supplement the existing ranking events, primarily the World Championship. Ray Reardon won the inaugural tournament, defeating Jimmy White 10–5 and earning a prize of £5,000. This victory made Reardon, at 50 years and 14 days classic, the oldest winner of a ranking event – a record that stood for 43 years until Mark Williams won the 2025 Xi’an Grand Prix.

In 1984, the tournament underwent its first major branding change, becoming the Grand Prix with sponsorship from Rothmans. The event moved to the Hexagon Theatre in Reading, England. Throughout its history, the tournament has seen a succession of sponsors, including LG Electronics, which rebranded it as the LG Cup in 2001, and later totesport and Royal London Watches, leading to the revival of the Grand Prix name in 2004.

The World Open’s current iteration in Yushan, China, follows relocations to Scotland and Hainan Island. The tournament’s total prize fund currently stands at £825,000, with the winner receiving £175,000. The event is jointly organised by the World Snooker Tour and the Chinese Billiard & Snooker Association (CBSA).