Huge boost for snooker fans as free-to-air TV channel snaps up rights to broadcast major events for first time ever
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A NEW TV deal has ensured three major ranking snooker tournaments will remain on free-to-air TV.
The British Open, Players Championship and Tour Championship will all be broadcast live on 5 next season.
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Three major snooker ranking events are staying on free-to-air TV
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Kyren Wilson will defend his Players Championship crown live on 5
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The WST has penned the "pioneering agreement" with the terrestrial channel.
It will see all three tournaments broadcast on 5 from 2026.
Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer, 5 and Paramount UK said: "We are delighted to bring the World Snooker Tour to 5.
"The Tour Championship, Players Championship and British Open are top-ranking tournaments featuring the world's best players and making them available to view on free-to-air TV continues our mission to keep elite live sport accessible for fans across the UK."
Next year's Players Championship will run from February 16-22 at the Telford International Centre.
Last year's edition of the tournament was shown live on ITV.
It will feature the top 16 ranked players from the rankings, with Kyren Wilson the defending champion.
WST Chairman Steve Dawson added: "We are delighted to be working with 5 for the first time and to add a new broadcaster to our tour.
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"Snooker has a long history of providing fans with free-to-air events with extensive live coverage so this is fantastic news for everyone who follows our sport.
"The Players Championship and Tour Championship are elite events contested only by the best of the best.
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"Players are striving all season to climb the one year list and earn a place in these prestigious tournaments.
"And from 2026, 5 will also broadcast the British Open which is a historic event with its own unique identity including a random draw.
"We look forward to working with the 5 team on these events and ensuring that an outstanding product is delivered to snooker's consistently huge audience.
"Our sport had incredible viewing figures throughout last season and we expect to see that trend continue as we grow across the world."
The Tour Championship runs from March 30 to April 5, 2026 at Manchester Central.
It will be followed by the British Open in September.
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