Shenzhen has been hosting one major sporting event after another these past two years, and the one to watch this autumn is the 2026 World Snooker Shenzhen Open: September 28 to October 4, running for seven straight days at the Bao'an Sports Centre (also known as the Bao'an Gymnasium) in Bao'an District. The official schedule and draw have already been released.
For Hong Kong readers there are two big draws: first, the tournament spans the National Day Golden Week, with matches still on from October 1 to 4, so you can catch the snooker, eat well and shop all in one trip; second, ticket prices cover a wide range, with the cheapest sessions costing under HK$60 to get in.
Event basics
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event name | 2026 World Snooker Shenzhen Open |
| Dates | September 28 – October 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Bao'an Sports Centre (Bao'an Gymnasium), Bao'an District, Shenzhen |
| Ticket prices | ¥54 – ¥2,721.6 (varies by session and seat category) |
| Ticketing platforms | Damai is the official designated ticketing platform; Piaoxingqiu and Douyin also sell tickets |
| Early-bird offer | Buy between September 4 and 9 for 10% off all sessions; final pass gets a further 10% off, and the discounts stack |
The organisers state that "specific arrangements are subject to on-site conditions", so it's best to check Damai again before you set off to confirm the session times for the day.
Getting there: three border crossings to Bao'an Sports Centre
The nearest metro station to the venue is Baoti Station on Line 1, just a few minutes' walk from the exit; the Bao'an Sports Centre area is also Bao'an's central district, packed with malls and restaurants.
- From Luohu Port: cross the border and get on Line 1, ride it all the way to Baoti Station — no changes needed, about 50 to 60 minutes in total
- From Futian Checkpoint: cross the border, change to Line 4 then Line 1; or take a taxi via Binhai Avenue, about 40 minutes
- From Shenzhen Bay Port: cross the border, take Line 13 then change to Line 1; or about 25 to 30 minutes by taxi
If you're coming by high-speed rail or from Hong Kong Airport, you can get to Shenzhen Airport East Station and change to Line 1 — three stops to Baoti Station.
Entry tips (practical edition)
- Arrive 1 hour early: major events require security screening, and the queue peaks 30 minutes before the start.
- Bring ID: mainland venues usually require ID at security, so keeping your Home Return Permit on you is safest.
- Silence your phone, no flash photography: snooker demands near-total quiet — never walk around or stand up while a player is at the table.
- Food and drink restrictions: usually only water is allowed, so don't bring takeaway inside; save meals for before or after the session.
- Ticketing safety: buy only through official channels like Damai and Piaoxingqiu — don't deal with marked-up second-hand "scalpers".
What to do after the snooker? A day out in Bao'an's central district
Within two kilometres of Bao'an Sports Centre there's plenty to walk, eat and shop, so you can combine the snooker with a day trip:
- Qianhai One Avenue (99 Xinhu Road): one of Bao'an's biggest malls, with the most dining and pop-up exhibitions, directly connected to Bao'an Centre Station on Lines 1/5 — just one stop from Baoti Station
- Happy Harbour: a waterfront commercial area with a Ferris wheel and a seaside promenade, beautifully lit at night — great for a post-match stroll
- Food streets around Bao'an Sports Centre: mostly Chaoshan beef hotpot and barbecue, around ¥80–120 per person
By the way, other major Shenzhen venues — Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre (the "Spring Cocoon"), Shenzhen Universiade Centre, and the area around Shenzhen Civic Centre — all host concerts and events in autumn too, so before heading north this autumn, check the venue schedules first and then book your hotel.
Budget reference
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Tickets (regular sessions) | From ¥54 |
| Tickets (final level) | Up to ¥2,721.6 |
| Return transport (border ↔ venue) | ¥15–30 (metro) or ¥80–120 (taxi) |
| Dinner near the venue | ¥80–120 per person |
Snooker for beginners: understand it to enjoy it
If it's your first time watching snooker in person, the rules aren't actually complicated — get a few things straight and you won't be lost:
- One game is called a "frame"; a match usually runs from a few frames to a dozen or more, and whoever wins the required number of frames advances.
- Red is 1 point, yellow 2, green 3, brown 4, blue 5, pink 6, black 7. The basic rhythm is one red then one colour; once the reds are cleared, the colours are potted in order from lowest to highest value.
- "Snooker" itself is a tactic: hiding the white ball behind other balls so your opponent can't hit the target ball and incurs a penalty. So the most exciting moments are often not the pots but the defensive exchanges.
- Stay quiet while a player is at the table — no walking around, no flash. This is completely different from watching other sports.
Know these few things and you won't just be "watching people hit balls" — you'll be able to tell who's in the better position.
National Day Golden Week clashes with the event: transport and accommodation
- The days around October 1 are the busiest of the year: from the afternoon of September 30 to the morning of October 1, every border crossing has long queues. If you want to catch the October 1 to 4 sessions, it's best to cross the night before on September 29 or 30 and stay overnight.
- Book your hotel early: hotels in Bao'an's central district and along Line 1 sell out first, so book a room as soon as you've got your tickets.
- Choose Shenzhen Bay Port for the return: Shenzhen Bay operates 24-hour clearance, so returning after an evening session ends at 22:30 is least stressful; for Luohu and Futian, allow 1 hour before the last train.
- Parking near the venue is limited — if driving, park in a mall car park and walk over, or simply take the metro.
FAQ
1. What's the safest way to buy tickets?
The official designated ticketing platform is Damai, with Piaoxingqiu and Douyin also selling in parallel. For the best price, wait for the early-bird window (10% off all sessions from September 4 to 9), and final passes get a further 10% off on top. Don't go through unknown resellers — event tickets are usually tied to real names, and resold tickets often fail at the gate.
2. How is watching snooker live different from a concert?
The biggest difference is the silence. At a concert you can cheer; at snooker the whole hall holds its breath. While a player is aiming you can't walk around, use flash, or take a loud phone call. If you're bringing children, explain the rules in advance.
3. Is a same-day return trip enough time?
Evening sessions start around 19:30 and may finish after 22:30. If you need to get back to Hong Kong, allow 1 hour to reach the border before the last train at Luohu and Futian; Shenzhen Bay Port has 24-hour clearance, so the return is least stressful — departing from Shenzhen Bay is the most comfortable option.
4. Can you get in without a ticket?
No — entry requires a ticket. That said, the malls in Bao'an's central district and the Happy Harbour area are worth visiting even without a ticket, with big screens and mall events nearby, so you can still make a day of it.
Practical tips
- The event falls during National Day, so hotels in Bao'an's central district sell out early — book two weeks ahead if you plan to stay.
- The venue air-conditioning runs cold, so bring a light jacket; snooker sessions mean sitting for hours, so a back cushion and water are very useful.
- If you buy a final pass, ask clearly how many sessions it includes — prices vary a lot between different numbers of sessions.
- Choose a hotel along Line 1 so you don't need to change trains on the way back after the snooker.
💬 Comments
Loading…