Tour Championship Snooker 2026 Today: Prize money, full Saturday semi-final schedule, how to watch for free, where is Ronnie O’Sullivan and when is John Higgins playing?

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The Tour Championship Snooker 2026 reaches a निर्णing stage today (Saturday, April 4) with the final semi-final set to decide who joins Judd Trump in Sunday’s showpiece final.

Semi-final spotlight: Saturday schedule

Saturday’s action features defending champion John Higgins taking on reigning world champion Zhao Xintong in a two-session clash at Manchester Central.

1:00 PM (UK time) – First session

7:00 PM (UK time) – Second session

The match is played over the best of 19 frames, with the winner progressing to Sunday’s final against Trump, who booked his place with a dominant semi-final victory on Friday.

Prize money breakdown

The tournament boasts a total prize fund of £500,000, with significant rewards at stake:

Winner: £150,000

Runner-up: £60,000

Semi-finalists: £40,000

Quarter-finalists: £30,000

Last 12: £20,000

Highest break: £10,000

This makes it one of the most lucrative events outside the World Championship and a key part of the Players Series.

Where is Ronnie O’Sullivan?

Fans may notice the absence of snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan. Despite qualifying for the elite 12-player field, O’Sullivan opted not to participate in this year’s tournament as part of a reduced playing schedule in UK events.

His withdrawal opened the door for other players to step in, slightly reshaping the competitive field in Manchester.

How to watch for free

The tournament is widely accessible for fans:

UK viewers: Live coverage is available free-to-air on Channel 5 and its platforms.

Streaming: Matches can also be watched online via the broadcaster’s digital services.

Internationally, coverage varies, with streaming options such as WST Play and regional sports broadcasters carrying the event.

Tournament context

Held at Manchester Central, the Tour Championship is the penultimate ranking event before the World Snooker Championship and features only the top 12 players on the one-year ranking list.

With Higgins chasing back-to-back titles and Zhao aiming to add another major trophy to his growing collection, Saturday’s semi-final promises high drama. The winner will face an in-form Trump, setting up what could be a thrilling conclusion on Sunday.