Ronnie O'Sullivan set for a Champion of Champions invite after Wu Yize's Shenzhen win

[ScarletDaemon]

Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to be invited to the 2026 Champion of Champions, SnookerHQ reports. The route in came through a bit of a domino effect. Wu Yize beat Yuan Sijun 10-5 to win the Shenzhen Open, but Wu had already qualified for the Champion of Champions. That freed up a place further down the list

The World Seniors Championship was added to the qualifying criteria this year, and O'Sullivan won it in May. That gives him a way into the field. There is no guarantee he will take the invitation, though. SnookerHQ points out that he withdrew as reigning champion in 2015 and 2023 and has skipped many UK events recently

O'Sullivan has a fantastic record in this event. He has won it a record four times, in 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2022. He is 50 now and picks his tournaments carefully. If he plays, he will be one of the favourites as always

The tournament runs from 9 to 15 November at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, with £150,000 to the winner. Mark Selby is the defending champion. The Northern Ireland Open is the last qualifying event. If it does not produce a new winner who has not already qualified, the final place goes to Neil Robertson

Champion of Champions is one of the best events on the calendar, with a strong field and a lively crowd. Having O'Sullivan there would make it even bigger. A World Seniors title being his route in is a funny twist given how good he still is. Let us hope he says yes

Will Ronnie accept the invitation? And who do you fancy to win the Champion of Champions this year?

Ronnie O'Sullivan to receive 2026 Champion of Champions invitation | SnookerHQ.comsnookerhq.com