YAPP DEFENDS CROWN, GORST RETURNS AND CHAMPIONS COLLIDE IN BLOCKBUSTER 2026 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
The draw has been confirmed for the 2026 UK Open Pool Championship, with former champions, global stars, and thrilling first-round clashes set to light up The Brentwood Centre from 26-31 May.
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The World Nineball Tour heads to Essex for one of the sport’s most exciting open events, where 256 players from more than 50 countries will compete for a share of the $225,000 prize fund — including a $40,000 top prize.
A total of 78 British players will compete on home soil as the world’s best battle it out across six days of elite nineball action.
Selected First Round Matches:
Fedor Gorst (USA) v Khalid Alghamdi (KSA)
Aloysius Yapp (SGP) v Andrew Olivero (GBR)
Joshua Filler (GER) v Darren Appleton (GBR)
Francisco Sánchez Ruiz (ESP) v Nathan Childress (USA)
Jayson Shaw (GBR) v Glenn Murphy (GBR)
Gerwyn Price (GBR) v Kostiantyn Ivanov (UKR)
Andy Goldstein (GBR) v Steve Della Pietra (GBR)
Petri Makkonen (FIN) v Barry Hearn OBE (GBR)
Mohammad Soufi (SYR) v Stuart Bingham (GBR)
View the full draw now at www.wntlivescores.com
World No.1 Fedor Gorst opens his campaign against Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Alghamdi, while Defending UK Open champion Aloysius Yapp begins his first major title defence against Britain’s Andrew Olivero.
The draw also features a host of former UK Open champions, including a clash of former world champions between Joshua Filler and Darren Appleton in one of the standout ties of the opening round. Other former UK Open champions Eklent Kaçi and Robbie Capito also return, taking on Dimitris Siampanis and Mennillo Guglielmo respectively.
Former World No.1 Francisco Sánchez Ruiz faces America’s Nathan Childress, while 8-time Mosconi Cup champion Jayson Shaw takes on Glenn Murphy in an all-British clash.
Fans can also look forward to appearances from sporting crossover stars, as former darts World Champion Gerwyn Price faces Ukraine’s Kostiantyn Ivanov, while talkSPORT drive-time host Andy Goldstein meets fellow Brit Steve Della Pietra.
Elsewhere, 2024 UK Open semi-finalist Petri Makkonen takes on Matchroom Sport President Barry Hearn OBE, Casper Matikainen faces snooker star Chris Wakelin, and Mohammad Soufi meets former World Snooker Champion Stuart Bingham.
With a packed field featuring world champions, rising stars, and home favourites, the 2026 UK Open Pool Championship promises six days of world-class drama in Essex.
Don’t miss your chance to witness the action live — tickets are available now through the Matchroom Pool website.
The full draw for the 2026 UK Open Pool Championship can be found at www.wntlivescores.com
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