John Higgins fights his way toward the semi‑finals as the International Championship reaches the quarter‑final round.
The International Championship is back for its 12th edition, staged in Nanjing’s South New City National Fitness Center (SNCNFC) from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 8. With a total prize fund of £825,000, the event is the eighth ranking tournament of the 2026/27 snooker season and has already produced a series of dramatic upsets.
Defending champion Wu Yize, who triumphed over John Higgins 10-6 last year, fell in the third round to Stephen Maguire, leaving the field wide open for a new winner.
Format, prize distribution and qualification
All matches up to and including the quarter-finals are played as best-of-11 frames (first to six).
The semi-finals shift to a best-of-17 format, while the final stretches to best-of-19. Qualifying rounds were held in Leicester on September 17-19, with several Chinese wild-cards rolled over into the main draw. The prize breakdown rewards deep runs: the champion receives £175,000, the runner-up £75,000, semi-finalists £33,000 each, and quarter-finalists £22,000.
An additional £5,000 is set aside for the highest break of the tournament.
Quarter-final line-up on Wednesday, November 4
The fourth day of competition will see four matches determining the semi-finalists. The morning session starts at 6 am with two intense encounters: world-ranked Ding Junhui (15) faces Kyren Wilson (8), while Fan Zhengyi (53) meets Hossein Vafaei (28). The 11:30 am session features the most anticipated duel – Scotland’s John Higgins (6) against Marco Fu (70). The other clash pairs Chang Bingyu (22) with Zhao Xintong (2), the latter currently holding the world number one spot. Each match is a potential gateway to the coveted £33,000 semi-final purse.
Key storylines: Higgins versus Williams and the Chinese surge
John Higgins earned his quarter-final berth after a nail-biting final-frame victory over longtime rival Mark Williams yesterday, showcasing the Scottish legend’s resilience. Williams, a former world champion, will be watching from the sidelines, his own campaign halted by a close third-round loss to Stephen Maguire. Meanwhile, Chinese hopefuls continue to make an impact: Zhao Xintong, ranked second globally, has already dispatched Ian Burns and David Lilley, while Ding Junhui remains a fan favourite after a solid start. The blend of seasoned veterans and emerging Asian talent promises a thrilling climax.
How to follow the action
U.K. audiences can catch every frame live on TNT Sports, with streaming available via Discovery+. The same platform offers on-demand replays, ensuring fans never miss a decisive moment. For those tracking the tournament’s progression, the official schedule lists all match times in UK time, with the quarter-finals commencing at 6 am and 11:30 am on November 4. As the event moves toward its final on Saturday, November 7, the stakes rise and the drama intensifies, setting the stage for a possible new champion to claim the £175,000 top prize.
