World champion Wu Yize withdraws from Northern Ireland Open as Ding Junhui also misses Belfast event
Wu Yize has pulled out of the Northern Ireland Open for health reasons, and Ding Junhui is the only top-16 player not entered, ahead of the event starting in Belfast on 18 October.
Reigning world champion Wu Yize has withdrawn from the 2026 Northern Ireland Open for health reasons, depriving the Belfast event of one of its headline names before it starts at the Waterfront Hall on Sunday, 18 October. The tournament will also be without Ding Junhui, the only member of the world's top 16 not entered, while fellow Chinese player He Guoqiang has also pulled out.
Walkovers for Donaldson and Slessor
Wu's withdrawal hands Scotland's Scott Donaldson a walkover into the second round. He Guoqiang's absence gives England's Elliot Slessor the same route through.
The 23-year-old Wu is the closest challenger to compatriot Zhao Xintong at the top of the world rankings, so missing a full ranking event is a blow to his chances of closing that gap this season. Zhao, the world number one, is in the draw and plays Gao Yang in the first round.
Ding's decision to skip Belfast has also raised eyebrows, because the former UK champion is in danger of dropping out of the world's top 16.
Lisowski starts his title defence
Jack Lisowski returns as defending champion after winning his first ranking title in Belfast last year, beating Judd Trump 9-8 in a dramatic final. Lisowski opens against China's Huang Jiahao.
Trump, a record four-time winner of the event, faces Martin O'Donnell, and Northern Ireland's two-time champion Mark Allen is set to make his first appearance of the 2026-27 season against Jordan Brown after missing earlier events for personal reasons.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is also in the draw and is due to play Hong Kong's Cheung Ka Wai in the first round, as is Thailand's Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, who meets Aaron Hill. Ali Carter, who recently won the English Open, plays China's Xu Si.
Format and prize money
The Northern Ireland Open is part of the Home Nations Series and runs from Sunday, 18 October, to Sunday, 25 October. All matches up to and including the last 16 are best of seven frames, the quarter-finals are best of 11, and the final on 25 October is best of 17. The winner lifts the Alex Higgins Trophy.
The total prize fund is £550,400, with £100,000 for the champion and £45,000 for the runner-up. There is also a £5,000 prize for the highest break.
Watching from Malaysia
Belfast is seven hours behind Malaysia until the UK clocks change on the final day of the event, so a 10am session start in Belfast is 5pm in Kuala Lumpur, and evening sessions finish in the early hours of the morning, Malaysia time. In Malaysia, the event is shown on Astro SuperSport, according to the tournament preview published by SnookerHQ.
No Malaysian player is in the draw, but Asian interest is strong, with a large group of Chinese players plus Thailand's Un-Nooh, Noppon Saengkham and Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon in the field.
Key takeaways
- World champion Wu Yize has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland Open for health reasons, giving Scott Donaldson a walkover.
- He Guoqiang has also withdrawn, sending Elliot Slessor through.
- Ding Junhui is the only top-16 player not entered.
- Jack Lisowski defends the title, with £100,000 on offer to the winner from a £550,400 prize fund.
FAQ
Why did Wu Yize withdraw from the Northern Ireland Open? He withdrew for health reasons, according to tournament reports, and Scott Donaldson receives a walkover.
When is the 2026 Northern Ireland Open? It runs from 18 to 25 October 2026 at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, with a best-of-17 final on Sunday, 25 October.
How much does the Northern Ireland Open winner get? The champion receives £100,000 from a total prize fund of £550,400.
Sources: Totally Snookered, SnookerHQ, FinnSnooker, TNT Sports