WPBSA Qualifying Criteria Announced for 2026 World Snooker Championship
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) and World Snooker Tour have today announced the qualification criteria for the 16 amateur places at the 2026 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield in April.
The qualifying rounds will take place in Sheffield from 6-15 April with 16 places at the Crucible Theatre to be won.
Alongside all professionals ranked outside the elite top 16, following the 2026 Tour Championship, and top-ups from the 2025 Q School Order of Merit, will be 16 leading amateur players who have earned their place at the event following their performances at recognised international events across the season.
These include outstanding performers at the World Snooker Federation Championships in Sofia, and the WPBSA Q Tour Global which will reach its conclusion in Spain this March.
The exceptional performance of Alfie Burden who lifted his maiden professional ranking event title at the Shoot Out as an amateur top up player has also been recognised. Burden also won the World Seniors Snooker Championship for the first time in 2025.
Jason Ferguson, WPBSA Chairman said: “We are once again pleased to confirm how 16 WPBSA qualifiers will earn their places at this season’s professional World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
“In line with previous seasons, the elite performers from recognised WPBSA Tour pathways are once again included and will have the opportunity to contest the biggest title in our sport this spring.
“There can be no better inspiration than the performance of China’s Zhao Xintong, who last year made history as he became the first WPBSA qualifier to lift the trophy at the Crucible Theatre, having begun his campaign in the very first round following his achievements at last season’s WPBSA Q Tour Europe.
“Players hoping to emulate his success a year on will include successful players at the WSF Championships – including our newly crowned junior champion Michael Larkov – as well as the WPBSA Q Tour Global and European Championships.
“We are also delighted to recognise the incredible achievement of Alfie Burden only last month, who became a world ranking event winner for the first time at the Shoot Out, whilst competing as an amateur qualifier.
“I look forward to seeing these players have the opportunity to achieve their dreams and to compete on the biggest stage of all.”
WPBSA Qualification Criteria
Updated 28/01/2026:
- 2026 WSF Championship Winner
- 2026 WSF Junior Championship Winner (Michael Larkov)
- 2026 Q Tour Europe Winner
- 2026 Q Tour Global Play-Off 1 Winner
- 2026 Q Tour Global Play-Off 2 Winner
- 2026 Q Tour Global Play-Off 3 Winner
- 2026 WSF Championship Runner-Up
- 2026 WSF Junior Championship Runner-Up (Wang Xinbo)
- 2026 WSF Championship Semi-Finalist
- 2026 WSF Championship Semi-Finalist
- 2026WSF Junior Championship Semi-Finalist (Daniel Boyes)
- 2026 WSF Junior Championship Semi-Finalist (Prin Ratmukda)
- 2026 EBSA Under-18 European Championship Winner (Runner-up if already qualified)
- 2026 EBSA Under-21 European Championship Winner (Runner-up if already qualified)
- Highest ranked eligible player on the Q Tour Europe rankings
- Exceptional Performance – Amateur winning a professional world ranking event (Alfie Burden)
All players selected will appear subject to acceptance of their place and any travel restrictions in place. Any replacement players for these 16 places will be selected from the final WPBSA Q Tour Europe ranking list this season.
Any current professional players who do not enter the tournament will be replaced from the 2025 Q School Order of Merit.
