Snooker fans and broadcasters are already looking ahead to 14 September 2026, when Winui and Liu meet Mitchell in the opening round of the Northern Ireland Open Qualifiers. The match starts at 12:00 UTC and will be shown live on Sofascore, U-TV, iTV, BBC, الجزيرة الرياضية, and Sky Sports, making it widely accessible for viewers around the world.
The official draw places Liu Wenwei against Mitchell Mann in the Round of 128, with the winner set to face Luca Brecel in the next round.
The qualifiers are a demanding stage, where every match can decide a player's fate. Winui, Liu, and Mitchell all need to perform from the first frame, knowing that a single mistake could end their run before it starts.
This year's broadcasting lineup shows how much the sport's reach has grown. Coverage spans both traditional TV and digital platforms, following a trend seen in other sports, such as padel's recent addition to major tournaments (reported earlier). The goal is not just bigger audiences, but better access and more detailed coverage for fans who want live stats and video.
According to SnookerHQ, the qualifiers for the Northern Ireland Open 2026 are held from 13-16 September at Mattioli Arena in Leicester, with the main stage scheduled for 18-25 October at Waterfront Hall, Belfast. The qualification format features two rounds, with lower-ranked players starting in the first round and seeds 33-64 joining in the second. Matches are played as best of 7 frames, and the tournament winner will take home £100,000.
