Snooker fans in Scotland have another big week to look forward to as the 2026 Scottish Open makes its way towards Edinburgh.

The tournament is scheduled to take place at Meadowbank Sports Centre from 14 to 20 December 2026, bringing another week of professional snooker to the Scottish capital.

When are the Scottish Open qualifiers?

The 2026 Scottish Open qualifying matches are scheduled for 20–23 September 2026.

The qualifying rounds are due to take place at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, rather than at the Edinburgh venue.

For the players involved, these matches are an important opportunity to secure a place in the final stages of the ranking event.

When will the full line-up be known?

The qualifying draw has been published, but the completed Edinburgh field depends on the results of those matches.

With qualifying running until 23 September, the final picture will become clearer once the matches have been completed.

That gives fans another reason to keep an eye on the qualifying results. Several players will be competing for the chance to take their place alongside the established names in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh prepares for another Scottish Open

After the qualifying stage, attention will turn to Meadowbank Sports Centre.

The main tournament is scheduled for 14–20 December, with the final set for Sunday, 20 December.

The Edinburgh venue also hosted the 2025 Scottish Open. Chris Wakelin won that tournament, defeating Chang Bingyu 9–2 in the final.

Wakelin's victory was the second ranking title of his professional career.

Why the tournament matters

The Scottish Open forms part of snooker's Home Nations Series, which features ranking tournaments in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

That makes the Edinburgh tournament an important part of the professional calendar.

For established players, it provides another opportunity to compete for ranking points and silverware. For those coming through qualifying, meanwhile, reaching the main event can provide a valuable opportunity to compete on a bigger stage.

What can fans expect in Edinburgh?

The tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, 14 December, with matches continuing throughout the week before the competition reaches its concluding stages.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will determine who lifts the Scottish Open trophy at Meadowbank.

The exact match-ups will depend on the completed draw, so fans should check the official tournament information as the event gets closer.

The road to Edinburgh starts in Leicester

Qualifying may not receive the same attention as the later rounds, but it plays an important role in determining who reaches the Scottish Open's final stages.

From 20 September, players will compete in Leicester with a place in Edinburgh at stake.

By the time qualifying concludes on 23 September, fans will have a much clearer idea of the field heading to Meadowbank in December.

That journey from Leicester to Edinburgh is the first chapter of the 2026 Scottish Open, with the tournament set to provide another week of professional snooker in Scotland before the year draws to a close.

Scottish Open 2026: Key dates

Qualifying: 20–23 September 2026

Qualifying venue: Mattioli Arena, Leicester

Main tournament: 14–20 December 2026

Main venue: Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh

Final: 20 December 2026

Tournament schedules can change, so fans should check the official World Snooker Tour information for the latest dates, sessions and match details.