Half a million dollars in prize money. The world's top pool players. Ho Chi Minh City is about to take center stage in the global cue sports calendar. The WPA World Ten Ball Championship is back at Phu Tho Stadium from 19 to 26 September. More than 200 top players from around the world and across Vietnam will compete for a week that will push their skill, nerve, and tactics to the limit.
This is not just another event. The World Ten Ball Championship, run by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), is the highest level of professional ten ball. The format is strict. It rewards only the most skilled and disciplined players. Every rack is a real test of world-class ability. Luck plays little part here.
The actual field for the 2026 Iwan Simonis WPA Men's 10-Ball World Championship consists of 96 players, not the 200+ originally reported.
Vietnam is hosting for the second year in a row. The WPA's decision shows growing trust in the country's place on the international cue sports map. For Vietnamese players, it is a rare chance to face the world's best at home. They gain experience and a shot at major titles. BOX Vietnam's CFO Brian Duong called the event a turning point for Vietnam's reputation in global billiards.
The championship leads a busy week for billiards in Ho Chi Minh City. Three big tournaments run side by side. The Iwan Simonis World Men's Ten Ball Championship is the main event. The Poison Saigon Open for women in nine ball runs from 21 to 25 September. The BOX Billiards Mixed Doubles Open takes place from 19 to 23 September, with mixed pairs competing in a format that demands teamwork and sharp tactics.
According to independent announcements, the main championship's prize fund is 300,000 USD, while the total prize pool for all billiards events in Ho Chi Minh City during this period is 490,000 USD. This differs from the previously cited figure of 500,000 USD and reflects the breakdown across multiple tournaments.
Vietnamese stars like Duong Quoc Hoang and Dong Yen Phi are among those aiming for top prizes. They hope to use home advantage and local support. But as Tuổi Trẻ reported, by September 23 all Vietnamese players had been knocked out of the main draw. The level of international competition is fierce. Still, the event is expected to draw big crowds, with fans eager to see their national players take on the world's best.
Organisers are pitching the week as more than just sport. They promise a festival atmosphere and a world-class billiards experience for players and fans. Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV Sports) is broadcasting the entire championship live from 10:00 to 22:00 every day. Fans can watch on Facebook and YouTube. HTV confirmed this schedule, showing the strong media interest in the event.
Vietnam's ambitions in cue sports have grown in recent years. Earlier coverage of its players' international campaigns showed this rise. Now, hosting the World Ten Ball Championship again is a clear signal: Vietnam wants to be a major force in the sport. Multiple local and international announcements confirm that Ho Chi Minh City is hosting the championship for the second straight year. The city's status as a global pool destination is rising fast.
With a top field, a record prize pool, and a city ready for the spotlight, Vietnam's World Ten Ball Championship promises a week of tough competition. The choice to hold such a big event in Ho Chi Minh City is more than just a sporting milestone. It is a move that cements Vietnam's place in world pool and shows the country is ready for the biggest stages in cue sports.
