The World Grand Prix is a ranking event on the World Snooker Tour and one of the most distinctive tournaments of the mid-season. Held at the famous Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, it brings professional snooker to one of Britain's most celebrated sporting venues — better known for its horse racing festival but equally capable of staging world-class snooker in its intimate arena setting. The 2026 edition ran from 18 to 23 February.
The World Grand Prix operates as a restricted-entry ranking event, meaning that only the top 32 players in the world rankings at the time of the draw are eligible to participate. This ensures the field is stacked with quality throughout, and the absence of lower-ranked qualifiers means that every match from the first round onwards features elite-level play. With a total prize fund of £500,000 and ranking points on offer, the World Grand Prix is a significant prize in the mid-season ranking race.
Venue — Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is one of the most famous sporting venues in Britain, synonymous with the Cheltenham Festival — the premier National Hunt horse racing meeting held each March. Situated at the foot of the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire, the racecourse's facilities include a large indoor arena that is transformed into a snooker venue during the World Grand Prix week.
The atmosphere at Cheltenham is unique in the snooker calendar. The venue's racing heritage lends it a glamour and character quite unlike the traditional theatre and civic hall settings used by most WST events. Audiences at Cheltenham have proven enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and the event has established itself as a popular fixture among snooker fans in the South West of England and beyond.
Tournament Format
The World Grand Prix features 32 players — the top 32 in the world rankings — competing across a straight knockout draw. All matches take place at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Prize Money
The 2026 World Grand Prix carried a total prize fund of £500,000.
| Round | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | £100,000 |
| Runner-up | £40,000 |
| Semi-finalists (×2) | £20,000 each |
| Quarter-finalists (×4) | £10,000 each |
| Last 16 (×8) | £6,000 each |
| Last 32 (×16) | £4,000 each |
| Total | £500,000 |
Where to Watch the World Grand Prix
The World Grand Prix is broadcast live in the UK on subscription television — there is no free-to-air coverage.
Past Champions (2016–2026)
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Judd Trump | Mark Selby | 6–3 |
| 2025 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Judd Trump | 6–4 |
| 2024 | Neil Robertson | Ronnie O'Sullivan | 6–2 |
| 2023 | Judd Trump | Kyren Wilson | 6–3 |
| 2022 | Mark Selby | Neil Robertson | 6–4 |
| 2021 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Mark Williams | 6–0 |
| 2020 | Judd Trump | Mark Allen | 6–4 |
| 2019 | Neil Robertson | Judd Trump | 6–3 |
| 2018 | Mark Selby | Ding Junhui | 6–3 |
| 2017 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | John Higgins | 6–3 |
| 2016 | Neil Robertson | Marco Fu | 6–5 |