Zhao Xintong plays at home as the Shenzhen Open starts 28 September. Here is what you need on tickets, getting there, visas and how to watch
How to follow the Shenzhen Open 2026 as Zhao Xintong plays at home
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Zhao Xintong, the 2025 world champion and current world number one, plays his first match at the Shenzhen Open snooker tournament tonight, in the city where he grew up. The World Snooker Tour ranking event runs from 28 September to 4 October at the Bao’an Sports Centre Gymnasium, and replaces the Xi’an Grand Prix played in 2024 and 2025.
The top 16 players in the world are in the draw, including Judd Trump, Mark Selby, John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ding Junhui, 2026 world champion Wu Yize and defending champion Mark Williams. The total prize fund is £850,000 (about US$1.13 million), with £177,000 (about US$234,000) going to the winner.
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When and where is the Shenzhen Open?
Matches run from 28 September to 4 October at the Bao’an Sports Centre Gymnasium, 2112 Xinhu Road, Bao’an district. It is the sixth ranking event of the 2026–27 season. Matches are best of nine frames up to the quarter-finals, best of 11 in the semi-finals and best of 19 in the final.
Sessions on the opening days start at 9:30 am, 2 pm and 7:30 pm local time. Zhao plays Scotland’s Scott Donaldson at 7:30 pm today, in the same session as Ronnie O’Sullivan against Jiang Jun. Wu Yize and Ding Junhui play at 2 pm on Tuesday. The order of play can change, so check the World Snooker Tour site.
Why does this tournament matter for Zhao Xintong?
Zhao beat O’Sullivan 17–7 in the semi-finals and Mark Williams 18–12 in the final of the 2025 World Championship. He became the first Chinese and first Asian world champion, and the first amateur to win a ranking title. He had reached Sheffield through qualifying after a 20-month ban. A disciplinary commission found he had not fixed matches himself, but was liable as a party to two fixes involving another player, on whose matches he had placed bets.
Since returning to the tour he has won the World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship, the first player to win all three Players Series events in one season. He became world number one in August. He grew up in the Songgang subdistrict of Bao’an, and is the tournament’s official ambassador. At the launch he said, “This time I’ll be playing at home,” and invited fans to enjoy Shenzhen’s food over the National Day holiday.
Wu Yize won the 2026 title 18–17 against Shaun Murphy, so Chinese players have won the last two world championships.
How do I get tickets?
Presale opened on 4 Septembert with a 10 percent early-bird discount, and general sale began on 10 September. Chinese media report Damai as the official ticketing platform, with Piao Xingqiu, Douyin, Maoyan and others also selling. Single-day tickets run from ¥60 (about US$9) to ¥1,680 (about US$250). Finals passes cost ¥939.6–2,721.6 (about US$140–405).
Tickets are real-name, one per person, with ID checked at entry. They cannot be transferred, and refunds closed after 15 September. Children need a full-price ticket, and under-3s are not admitted. Ticket stubs unlock discounts across Shenzhen, with Bao’an dining, shopping and hotels named in local reports. Check Damai for what is left, and avoid unofficial resellers.
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How do I get to Shenzhen from Macao?
The most useful route ends in Bao’an district. TurboJET runs six to seven sailings a day from Taipa Ferry Terminal to Shenzhen Airport TurboJET, between 12 pm and 8 pm, with an extra 10:30 am sailing on Fridays, weekends and holidays. The crossing takes 75-80 minutes and the economy fare is HK$259 (about US$33). A shuttle connects to the airport in about 10 minutes. Chinese media list Line 1 to Bao’an Stadium Station (Exit A) and Line 11 to Bao’an Station (Exit D, 420 metres’ walk)
The alternative is a ferry from Outer Harbour to Shekou, taking about an hour. There are only two sailings a day, at 12:30 pm and 6 pm. Holiday fares apply on 1-7 October, at HK$296 (about US$38) economy and HK$480 (about US$62) in super class. You will need to cross town by metro from Shekou. Original travel documents are required when buying tickets, and holiday crowds are likely, so book early. Mainland routes stop when Typhoon Signal No. 8 is issued, so check TurboJET’s site before you leave.
Do I need a visa?
Hong Kong and Macao residents use the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents. Passport holders from dozens of countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and most EU states, can enter mainland China visa-free for 30 days until 31 December 2026. US passport holders are not on that list, but may qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy if they have onward travel to a third region, and Hong Kong and Macao count. Transit travellers must enter through eligible ports.
A 2024 National Immigration Administration list included Shekou Port and Shenzhen Bao’an Airport but not the Shenzhen Airport ferry terminal. The list has since been expanded, so confirm your entry port before you book.
How can I watch the Shenzhen Open if I’m not going?
In mainland China, coverage is on CCTV5, Huya, Migu, and the CBSA-WPBSA Academy channels on WeChat (pay-per-view) and Douyin. Hong Kong viewers can use Now Sports. TNT Sports and HBO Max cover the UK and Ireland, and Eurosport and HBO Max cover mainland Europe. Elsewhere it is on WST Play.
Last updated 28 September 2026. Order of the Shenzhen Open play, ticket availability and ferry times can change, so re-verify before travel.
