The third Nansha Snooker Open (Dongling Cup) officially started on May 3, drawing top domestic players to the Nansha district of Guangzhou for a local event during the May Day holiday. Organized by the Nansha District Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, the tournament has become a signature brand competition in Guangzhou.
Over 100 snooker players from more than 20 provinces across China gathered at the opening, including 37 returning participants from previous editions, eight quarterfinalists from the first two tournaments, and three world-ranked players. This year’s event boasts the largest participating field and highest competitive level in its history, featuring a mix of professional veterans, rising stars, and accomplished players.
Notably, Jiang Jun (world rank 78), champion of the inaugural event, and Yao Pengcheng (world rank 106), winner of the second edition, are back to defend their titles. Fifty-four “post-00s” players have joined, led by Liu Hongyu (world rank 59), Yao Dongcheng (champion of the 2026 CBSA China Youth Championship), and Lan Yuhao (youngest professional player of the 2025/26 season).
The tournament runs from May 3 to 8, with players competing through multiple rounds for a total prize fund of 116,700 yuan. The top eight finishers will receive prize money and qualify as seeded players for the next edition.
Among the participants are ethnic minority players, talents from Hong Kong, and even teenagers competing for the first time. Uyghur player Kereyim Abliz made a special trip from Hefei, Anhui, to compete, telling reporters he was attracted by the tournament’s professional standards. “I’ve learned a lot from seeing different playing styles,” he said.
The event also features young prodigies. Wang Yuecheng, just 10 years old from Shenzhen, is making his snooker competition debut after starting to play at age six. Gu Haoming, an 11-year-old from Hong Kong now living in Guangzhou, took up the sport only a few months ago but already aims to raise his average break to 50-60 points. Pang Zhenyi, a 23-year-old “post-00” player, was inspired by Zhao Xintong’s World Championship victory last year and switched from Chinese eight-ball to snooker.
The tournament coincides with the 2026 World Snooker Championship semifinals, where Chinese player Wu Yize (a “post-00”) staged a thrilling 17-16 comeback against Mark Allen to reach the final. Last year’s champion Zhao Xintong sent a video message to support the event.
An innovative interactive system has been implemented, allowing spectators to earn points, participate in quizzes, and redeem rewards at partner shopping malls, creating a “competition-traffic-consumption” loop. Held in the Nansha Huanyu City shopping district, the event aims to boost local economic activity during the “May Day” golden week.
Data shows the second edition led to a 52% year-on-year increase in daily foot traffic at the mall and a 36% rise in overall sales, with hotel occupancy exceeding 80%. This year’s opening day saw massive crowds, with additional attractions such as a special motorcycle exhibition by Zhang Xue and a “Pin Fight” competition for families.
The tournament continues to raise snooker’s profile in China, cultivate young talent, and showcase Nansha as a vibrant, sports-friendly city. With its blend of professional competition, entertainment, and commerce, the event underscores the region’s commitment to integrated sports and urban development.