This season's World Grand Prix, to take place in Hong Kong from February 3-8 in 2026, has a new format with longer matches in the first two rounds.

Since this event was first staged in 2015 it had always been best of seven frames for the first two rounds, but it will now be best of nine frames for the last 32 and last 16. The quarter-finals will remain best of nine, with the semi-finals best of 11 and the final best of 19. There will be four tables in the arena, rather than two, for the first two rounds.

WST's decision to change the format is based on feedback from players who felt that the early matches should be longer for such a prestigious event. In addition, it gives fans a wider range of players to watch in each session, with four tables for the first two rounds.

The world ranking event will be contested by the top 32 players on the Sportsbet.io One-Year list, as it stands at the end of the BetVictor Scottish Open, so after this week's Victorian Plumbing UK Championship there are just two counting events before the field is confirmed.

Neil Robertson won the World Grand Prix last season, beating Stuart Bingham 10-0 in the final. The tournament will return to the fabulous Kai Tak Arena in Hong Kong.

Format Change For 2026 World Grand Prix In Hong Kong With Longer Matches