Judd Trump to face Zhou Yuelong and Neil Robertson to play John Higgins as Players Championship draw made
Published 08/02/2026 at 23:20 GMT
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The draw for this month's star-studded Players Championship has been made as the top 16 players in the One Year Rankings prepare to do battle in Telford. World No. 1 Judd Trump, world champion Zhao Xintong, UK champion Mark Selby and debutant Elliot Slessor are among the players heading to Telford, though there will be no Ronnie O'Sullivan or Kyren Wilson.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
World No. 1 Judd Trump will play Zhou Yuelong in the first round of the Players Championship, while John Higgins, in as the 16th player after Ronnie O'Sullivan opted out, will meet top seed Neil Robertson.
The top 16 entered players in the Sportsbet.io One Year Rankings will compete in the tournament at the Telford International Centre from February 17-22.
Crucible champion Zhao Xintong will take on Elliot Slessor, with the latter the only debutant in this year's draw.
Shaun Murphy, who won the Players Championship in 2023, will play Zhang Anda and reigning UK champion Mark Selby faces Jack Lisowski.
Elsewhere, Chris Wakelin meets Xiao Guodong, Mark Williams takes on Barry Hawkins and Wu Yize faces Mark Allen.
Reigning champion Kyren Wilson will not be in Telford to defend his title, having fallen as low as 22nd in the One Year Rankings.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Ding Junhui, Gary Wilson, Si Jiahui, Stephen Maguire and Ali Carter are among the big names to have also missed the cut, not having earned enough cumulative prize money at ranking events from last summer’s Championship League to the recently completed World Grand Prix.
The Players Championship has a total prize fund of £500,000, with £150,000 awarded to the winner. Each player is guaranteed at least £15,000.
Zhao will head into the tournament as the form player after his impressive victory over Zhang in the World Grand Prix final.
The world champion was outside the One Year Rankings top 16 prior to the tournament in Hong Kong but victory saw him qualify for the Players Championship.
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"I don’t feel that I’ve completely lifted the pressure of playing as world champion yet," Zhao said. "Mentally, I still feel there is room to learn from the very top players.
"This season so far, although I’ve had some good results, I feel that my overall consistency hasn’t been as strong as the very best. That’s an area I know I still need to improve."
He added: "There’s no real secret to winning finals. I think it’s just about being patient with yourself and making the most of every single opportunity."
Full Players Championship draw
- Neil Robertson (1) v John Higgins (16)
- Chris Wakelin (8) v Xiao Guodong (9)
- Judd Trump (5) v Zhou Yuelong (12)
- Mark Williams (4) v Barry Hawkins (13)
- Shaun Murphy (3) v Zhang Anda (14)
- Zhao Xintong (6) v Elliot Slessor (11)
- Wu Yize (7) v Mark Allen (10)
- Mark Selby (2) v Jack Lisowski (15)
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the World Championship live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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