How to Watch the World Grand Prix Snooker: TV Channels and Streaming After ITV Decision.

How to Watch the World Grand Prix Snooker: TV Channels and Streaming After ITV Decision.

 

 

 

The 2026 World Grand Prix snooker tournament, staged from 3–8 February at the Kai Tak Arena in Hong Kong, showcases the world’s top 32 players competing for valuable ranking points and major prize money. With the event taking place in Asia, broadcast times in Europe and beyond will be early morning and daytime sessions, and fans around the world are adjusting to the latest shifts in television rights — most notably the absence of free-to-air coverage that many had grown used to in the UK.

One of the biggest changes this year stems from ITV’s decision to end its contract with World Snooker Tour (WST) events, meaning the World Grand Prix will no longer be shown on ITV’s free-to-air channels such as ITV4. ITV’s exit follows a series of broadcast reshuffles in UK snooker rights, with the terrestrial broadcaster reducing its portfolio of live tournaments — a significant blow for viewers who relied on free television access.

For British and Irish audiences, TNT Sports and Discovery+ are now the exclusive homes of the World Grand Prix in 2026. Coverage begins early on 3 February, typically around 5:00 am UK time, and continues across multiple sessions throughout the week. TNT Sports provides live television through its channels (for example, TNT Sports 3), while Discovery+ offers streaming and on-demand options for subscribers. In the UK, access to these services can be secured via television packages (Sky, BT, EE, Virgin Media) or direct streaming subscriptions through platforms such as Amazon Prime Channels or Discovery+ itself.

The shift away from free-to-air marks a major change for many fans. Previously, broadcasters like ITV helped keep parts of the snooker calendar accessible without subscription fees. Now, a paywall is standard for live action, though highlights and potential delayed coverage can appear through partner platforms or social media feeds, depending on regional licensing.

Outside the UK and Ireland, the tournament enjoys broader availability on a range of international broadcasters and streaming services. In mainland Europe, Eurosport carries live matches on television, supplemented by Discovery+ in markets such as Germany, Italy and Austria, and HBO Max in several other territories. Fans in China and Hong Kong can watch via Now TV and local streaming platforms such as Huya and Migu, reflecting the event’s increasing profile in Asia. Other regional partners include Astro Supersport in Malaysia and Brunei, Sportcast in Taiwan, True Sport in Thailand, and TAP Sports in the Philippines. For parts of the world not covered by commercial deals, the official World Snooker Tour streaming platform (WST Play) offers access to live and archive content, often with subscription options tailored to the local market.

Despite the loss of free-to-air exposure in the UK, broadcasters and streaming services have expanded accessibility overall. Many platforms support mobile apps and web streaming, allowing fans to tune in live or catch up later, often with multi-camera coverage and expert commentary.

As snooker continues to grow globally, the evolving broadcast landscape reflects both commercial realities and shifting viewer habits — with pay platforms playing a central role in bringing the sport to wider audiences, even as traditional free-to-air options diminish.