Higgins and Zhao Clash in Players Championship Final Showdown
The 2026 Players Championship final will notice John Higgins and Zhao Xintong battle for the title at the Telford International Centre on Sunday, February 22nd. The best-of-19 frame match promises a thrilling contest between a snooker veteran and the reigning world champion, with a top prize of £150,000 at stake.
Road to the Final
Both players secured their place in the final after dramatic semi-final victories on Saturday. Higgins overcame world number one Judd Trump in a deciding frame, while Zhao fought back from 5-2 down to defeat Mark Allen 6-5.
Higgins’ Journey
John Higgins reached the final with wins over Neil Robertson and Chris Wakelin before his nail-biting semi-final victory against Trump. His path to the final was somewhat unexpected, as he only qualified for the top 16 lineup after Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the competition. Snooker.org reports that Higgins is the second-oldest ranking event finalist.
Zhao’s Path to the Championship
Zhao Xintong’s route to the final included victories against Elliot Slessor, Sean Murphy, and Mark Allen. He previously defeated Higgins in the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong earlier this month, a 5-3 win on his way to claiming that tournament’s title. The Sun notes that Zhao maintained a 100% record of victories in ranking finals prior to this match.
Head-to-Head Record
Higgins boasts a superior head-to-head record against Zhao, with eight victories to Zhao’s five in all competitions. Their most recent encounter was at the Masters in London last month, where Higgins won 6-5. However, Zhao won their previous match earlier this month at the World Grand Prix.
What’s at Stake
The winner of the Players Championship final will receive £150,000. Both players have already secured their place in the top 12 of the one-year rankings and are poised to qualify for the Tour Championship in March. A win for Higgins would too continue the unusual trend of every ranking event this season being won by a different competitor.
Match Details
The 2026 Players Championship final is a best-of-19 frames match, with sessions commencing at 13:00 and 19:00 GMT. Filmogaz confirms the match requires 10 frames to clinch victory.