SIXTEEN of the world’s best players are battling it out for a huge jackpot at the Champion of Champions.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is looking to etch his name onto the trophy for a fifth time, having qualified by winning the World Seniors title in May.

The Rocket has been drawn in Group Three with Shaun Murphy, Wu Yize and Chang Bingyu.

A repeat of the 2017 final sees O’Sullivan face Murphy in a blockbuster first round tie.

Mark Selby arrives in his hometown of Leicester as the defending champion after beating Judd Trump 10-5 in last year’s final.

The Jester is looking to become the first man to retain his title since O’Sullivan in 2014.

Champion of Champions snooker 2026 prize money

A total of £440,000 will be handed out to players this week.

• Winner: £150,000
• Runner-up: £60,000
• Semi-final: £30,000
• Group runner-up (last-8): £17,500
• Group semi-final (last-16): £12,500

Champion of Champions snooker 2026 groups

Group One

• Mark Selby
• Alfie Burden
• Barry Hawkins
• Chris Wakelin

Group Two

• Zhao Xintong
• Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
• Kyren Wilson
• Ali Carter

Group Three

• Shaun Murphy
• Ronnie O’Sullivan
• Wu Yize
• Chang Bingyu

Group Four

• Neil Robertson
• Judd Trump
• Jak Jones
• Panchaya Channoi

Champion of Champions snooker 2026 qualification route

Here are the titles won by each of the 16 players involved.

• Mark Selby: Champion of Champions defending champion
• Alfie Burden: Snooker Shoot Out 2025
• Barry Hawkins: Welsh Open 2026
• Chris Wakelin: Scottish Open 2025
• Zhao Xintong: Riyadh Season Snooker Championship 2025
• Thepchaiya Un-Nooh: World Open 2026
• Kyren Wilson: The Masters 2026
• Ali Carter: English Open 2026
• Shaun Murphy: World Championship Runner-Up 2026
• Ronnie O’Sullivan: World Seniors Championship 2026
• Wu Yize: World Snooker Championship 2026
• Chang Bingyu: Wuhan Open 2026
• Neil Robertson: World Ranking Top-Up (highest non-title winner)
• Judd Trump: German Masters 2026
• Jak Jones: British Open 2026
• Panchaya Channoi: World Women’s Snooker Championship 2026