Commentary Returns to the Qualifying Tables: How to Watch the Shenzhen, British and English Open Qualifiers
The Season Gets Serious From Sunday
There's a particular kind of tension that lives in the qualifying rounds — the kind you don't get at the Crucible or the Barbican. No sell-out crowds, no theatrical lighting rigs, no television production gloss. Just a player, a table, and everything on the line. From Sunday 19th July, that raw, unfiltered drama returns as the qualifying rounds for three ranking events get underway, and this season there's a genuinely exciting reason for fans to pay closer attention than ever before.
Where to Watch — and What's New This Season
WST PLAY subscribers are in for a treat. Table one coverage will now carry live commentary — a new addition to the platform this season that adds a significant layer of atmosphere to what was previously a watch-in-silence affair. David Hendon, Michael McMullan and Michael Day will be guiding viewers through the action, and across the three events that represents an extra 53 days of commentary-led qualifying coverage added to the season's total offering. That's a substantial commitment to bringing the full broadcast experience to the rounds that so often go unseen.
The commentary-led coverage on WST PLAY is available globally, including the UK and Europe — with the exception of China, where viewers can catch the action via Migu, Huya, Douyin and WeChat. For those in the UK and Europe who prefer to watch without commentary, the coverage is also available on HBO Max. Whatever your preference, there's no excuse to miss a moment.
The Schedule: Three Events, Eight Days
The qualifying action is compressed into a tight window that demands attention. The Shenzhen Open qualifiers open proceedings from July 19th to 22nd, before the Unibet British Open qualifiers take over from July 23rd to 24th. The week closes with the BetVictor English Open qualifiers running from July 25th to 26th. Three tournaments, eight days — it's a relentless stretch of snooker that will sort ambitions from outcomes before August has even arrived.
Names to Watch on the Practice Tables
Qualifying might conjure images of unknowns battling for their place in the sport, and that story is always worth following. But this week's draw features some genuinely recognisable names who will be hoping to navigate through and secure their spots in the main draws. Ali Carter, whose career has been defined by defiance, is among those in action, as is the evergreen Jimmy White — still competing at the top level and still capable of moments that remind you exactly why he captured the imagination of a generation. Jack Lisowski, Hossein Vafaei, Luca Brecel and Stan Moody also feature across the events, meaning the standard across all three qualifiers promises to be high.
For players outside the world's top 16, these qualifying rounds aren't a formality — they are the tournament. A bad session, a missed opportunity at a crucial frame, and months of planning unravel before you even reach the venue city. That pressure is precisely what makes this coverage worth seeking out. When Vafaei's in full flow or Lisowski is threading long pots with that characteristic flair, even a qualifying table in front of a handful of spectators feels electric.
The Bigger Picture: A Season of Qualifying Dates
For those who want to plan ahead, WST has confirmed the full qualifying schedule for the 2026/27 season. After this week's action, the next block arrives in September (13th–23rd) for the Northern Ireland Open, International Championship and Scottish Open qualifiers. German Masters qualifying follows in November (16th–19th), before UK Championship qualifying runs from November 21st to 26th. In the new year, Welsh Open and World Open qualifying is pencilled in for February 2nd to 6th, 2027, and the season reaches its crescendo with World Championship qualifying from April 5th to 14th, 2027.
Beyond the live coverage, WST PLAY subscribers also benefit from thousands of hours of archive footage and — perhaps most valuably for the devoted fan — priority access to tickets for all UK tournaments, including the Triple Crown events. Getting your hands on Crucible tickets through conventional channels has become increasingly difficult in recent years, so that perk alone carries real weight.
The qualifiers are where seasons begin in earnest. From Sunday, with commentary in the headphones and a packed schedule ahead, there's no better time to start watching.
