What Channel is the Snooker On?

The complete guide for professional snooker. BBC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, Max, CCTV-5 — find out exactly where to watch every tournament globally in 2026.

Snooker TV Schedule — 2026

Tournament Dates Session Channel Live Streaming Status
Tournament Dates Session Channel Live Streaming Status
Tournament Dates Session Channel Live Streaming Status
Tournament Dates Session Channel Live Streaming Status
Tournament Dates Session Channel Live Streaming Status
Tournament Dates Session Channel Live Streaming Status

How to Watch Snooker in the UK

Three main broadcasters share snooker coverage in the UK. Here is what each one offers and how to access it.

BBC / BBC iPlayer

Free to air. No subscription required.

  • BBC Two covers the World Championship (live throughout, afternoon and evening sessions)
  • The Masters at Alexandra Palace (live throughout)
  • UK Championship (highlights and some live coverage)
  • Selected ranking event finals

Stream free on BBC iPlayer with a TV licence.

TNT Sports / HBO Max

Subscription required (via Sky, BT, Virgin, or HBO Max).

  • Most comprehensive snooker coverage — all ranking events
  • World Championship, Masters, UK Championship
  • Players Championship, Welsh Open, Scottish Open, and more

Stream via HBO Max (the new home of TNT Sports, replacing discovery+).

Channel 5 / 5Player

Free to air. No subscription required.

  • Covers the Tour Championship
  • Some ranking event finals
  • Highlights packages throughout the season

Stream free on My5 (5Player).

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions fans ask about watching snooker on TV in the UK.

What channel is the snooker on today?

Snooker airs across BBC Two, TNT Sports, and Channel 5 depending on the tournament. For BBC coverage, it is always free on BBC iPlayer. For TNT Sports, you will need a subscription via Sky, BT, Virgin, or HBO Max. Check our TV schedule table above for today's listings. The snooker is most commonly on BBC Two during the World Championship and The Masters.

Is the snooker on BBC today?

BBC covers the World Snooker Championship (both afternoon and evening sessions live on BBC Two), The Masters at Alexandra Palace, and the UK Championship. Outside these three Triple Crown events, most snooker moves to TNT Sports. Check the schedule table above to see if today's snooker is on the BBC.

What channel is the World Snooker Championship on?

The World Snooker Championship is broadcast live on BBC Two and TNT Sports (Sky channel 527). The BBC covers both afternoon and evening sessions throughout the tournament, with TNT Sports also providing live coverage. Both the afternoon and evening sessions from the first round through to the final are shown live. BBC iPlayer streams the coverage for free.

What channel is the Masters snooker on?

The Masters snooker tournament, held at Alexandra Palace in London, is broadcast on BBC Two and TNT Sports. Like the World Championship, the BBC provides free live coverage of both sessions. You can also watch live on BBC iPlayer without a subscription to any paid service.

Is snooker on free TV in the UK?

Yes, significant amounts of snooker are available on free-to-air TV in the UK. The World Championship, The Masters, and the UK Championship all feature live coverage on BBC Two — completely free with a TV licence. Channel 5 also shows selected events for free. For full coverage of all ranking events, a TNT Sports subscription (via Sky, BT, Virgin, or HBO Max) is needed.

What channel is snooker on tonight?

Tonight's snooker depends on the tournament. During the World Championship (April–May), BBC Two typically shows both the afternoon session (1pm) and evening session (7pm). TNT Sports (Sky 527) also covers major events. Check the schedule table at the top of this page for today's listings.

Where can I watch snooker without a subscription?

The BBC shows snooker free-to-air on BBC Two, and you can stream it free on BBC iPlayer with a TV licence. Channel 5 also shows selected events free on My5 (5Player). For the majority of ranking events throughout the season, a TNT Sports subscription is required — available via Sky, BT, Virgin, or HBO Max.

UK Snooker TV Rights: Who Shows What

Snooker's television landscape in the UK is split between free-to-air broadcasters and subscription services. The most prestigious events — known collectively as the Triple Crown (the World Championship, The Masters, and the UK Championship) — are all shown live on BBC Two, making them accessible to every household with a TV licence. The BBC has a long and celebrated history with snooker, dating back to the iconic Pot Black era and the famous 1985 World Championship final watched by over 18 million viewers.

TNT Sports (part of Warner Bros. Discovery) holds the most comprehensive snooker rights in the UK, extended through to the 2030–31 season. They cover virtually every ranking event on the World Snooker Tour calendar, including all three Triple Crown tournaments alongside the BBC. If you want to follow the full season — the Welsh Open, the Players Championship, the Scottish Open, and dozens of other events — a TNT Sports subscription (available through Sky, BT, Virgin Media, or HBO Max) is the way to go.

From 26 March 2026, the streaming home of TNT Sports moved from discovery+ to HBO Max. Discovery+ no longer carries TNT Sports content, so viewers who previously streamed via discovery+ will need to switch to HBO Max to continue watching. The Eurosport channel brand was also retired in the UK on 28 February 2025, with all content consolidating under TNT Sports.

Channel 5 has carved out a smaller but welcome niche, picking up events like the Tour Championship and occasional highlights packages. Everything on Channel 5 is free to air and can be streamed on My5.

In practice, most dedicated snooker fans in the UK will want access to both the BBC (free) and TNT Sports via HBO Max to follow the full season. The good news is that the sport's biggest moments, from Crucible finals to Masters showdowns at Alexandra Palace, remain firmly on free-to-air television.