New Format For English League Snooker Championship in 2026

The English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (EPSB) has today announced key changes to the English League Snooker Championship in 2026 with the event set to return to the Landywood Snooker Club, from April-June 2026.

Won last season by the SWMBSA ‘A’ team, the national event returned to the calendar in 2024 and will once again be organised by snooker’s national governing body in England in partnership with the popular Landywood Snooker Club.

Open to all registered snooker leagues (at the event date) from across the country, this season’s event will carry a minimum total prize fund of £3,000, with the winning team set to take home at least £750 and all teams reaching the final weekend to win prize money.

A maximum of 32 teams will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with qualifying weekends to be held on 4-5 April and 23-24 May, followed by a Grand Finals weekend on 13-14 June.

Format Changes

New for 2026 the EPSB has announced the following format changes aimed at making the event more accessible for Leagues and teams across the country:

• Teams will now consist of three players (reduced from five), with the option to name one reserve. This means that every player will now play two frames per match, providing more snooker for all, whilst also making it easier for Leagues to form a full team/s
• If a match finishes 3–3, it will be decided by a tiebreaker (format TBC)
• Players must be current members of their EPSB Registered League
• The entry fee will be reduced to £75 per team, with league affiliation remaining at £30 for two years

All matches during the Championship will be held at the Landywood Snooker Club.

Entry Fees / Prize Money

The entry fee for each team will be £75, with a guaranteed minimum prize fund of:

• Winners: £750
• Runners-up: £400
• Semi-finalists: £250
• Quarter-finalists: £150
• Last 16: £100
• High break (Finals Weekend): £100

All prize money totals are per team.

The winning team will also receive free entry to the following year’s event.

How to Enter

New for 2026, team entries will be accepted via WPBSA SnookerScores as follows:

1. The team captain must register a player account via WPBSA SnookerScores
2. Team captains can enter the event and make payment of the entry fee HERE.
3. Once this entry has been received, the EPSB will make contact to request further team information and preferred qualifying weekend details via our bespoke Google Form.

Please note that only teams that represent an EPSB Registered League will be eligible to enter the competition.

To become an EPSB registered league please submit our league registration form, following which we will contact you with payment details. Registration costs £30 and will be valid for a two-year period from registration.

The closing date for entries is Friday 20 March 2026 and entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Event Format / Rules

The provisional format for the event will be as follows:

• A maximum of 32 teams will compete in group stages to qualify for the Grand Finals weekend
• Each match will be played over six frames, with a point scored for each frame won. Should a match finish 3-3, a tie-breaker will be played to decide the winning team
• A maximum of 16 teams will compete on a single weekend, with four matches on Saturday, followed by three on Sunday
• Each team will be made up of three players, with a further optional reserve player.
• A maximum of one professional player will be eligible for each team, who will give an 18-points start when competing against an amateur. Should an amateur player turn professional during the event (e.g. Q School) and prior to the Grand Finals, they will be treated as a professional player from that point.
• Where possible, teams from the same league will be drawn apart during the qualification stage

All events will be subject to the EPSB’s 2025/26 Standard Terms and Conditions of Entry available at our website.

The dress code for the qualifying events shall be a polo shirt, trousers and formal shoes.

For more information about the tournament, visit the official tournament page HERE.