Mark Selby has won the Championship League Snooker Invitational title for a record third consecutive year after defeating Wu Yize in the grand final on home soil at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
Since its introduction on to the professional circuit in 2008, no player had won this behind-closed-doors annual tournament three years in-a-row, until now.
The Winners’ Group was held at the Mattioli across Tuesday and Wednesday, featuring the seven players who won ‘regular’ groups back in January.
Four-time world champion Selby qualified for the play-off semi-finals after finishing the round robin phase in second-place with four wins from six, only behind table-topper Elliot Slessor who accumulated five wins.
There was a thrilling climax to the group stage with the final two spaces still up for grabs going into the last set of fixtures, and it was Chinese duo Wu and Si Jiahui who claimed them after respective 3-1 victories over Matthew Selt and Tom Ford.
In the semi-finals, former world number one Selby was in scintillating form as he whitewashed Si 3-0, allowing his opponent to score only 12 points throughout the tie after making breaks of 94, 101 and 104.
On the main table, Wu began his last four encounter in style with a 130, but Slessor – aiming for his maiden professional final appearance – registered runs of 78 and 79 as he moved to the hill at 2-1 up.
An effort of 53 put Slessor in control in frame four, but it was Wu – aided by a slice of luck early on – who forced a decider with a counter of 80 before securing progression with a 101 in the final frame for a 3-2 win.
A final consisting of the two highest-ranked players from the Winners’ Group, Selby deposited the opening frame before fashioning a 128 to double his lead and move to within one of retaining the crown.
Reigning International Champion Wu kept his hopes alive with a 69 in frame three to get on the scoreboard, but Selby compiled a break of 92 in the next to wrap up a 3-1 title triumph.
Outstanding from the Jester! 🃏✨
Mark Selby defends his crown in style, overcoming Wu Yize in the final to seal an incredible three-peat. Simply incredible🏆#CLSnooker pic.twitter.com/CeDocmXM2o
— BetVictor Championship League Snooker (@CLSnooker) February 11, 2026
This latest success represents Selby’s third crown of the season after winning the Champion of Champions – which was held at the same Mattioli venue – and UK Championship.
‘The Jester from Leicester’ has now claimed five professional accolades in his home city.
The 42-year-old will have no time to celebrate as he is in World Open qualifying action on Thursday in Barnsley where he faces Haydon Pinhey from 14:30GMT for a spot at the main venue, televised stages held in Yushan, China next month.
date: 2026-02-11 22:30:00