Where Can I Watch the Northern Ireland Open Live?
The 2026 Northern Ireland Open snooker tournament features live coverage across various platforms depending on your location. In the UK, the event is available live on TNT Sports and HBO Max with a TNT Sports subscription costing £30.99 per month. Fans can also stream table one live on WST Play for £6.99 per month if based in the UK or Ireland.
In the United States, you can watch the matches live by subscribing to WST Play, which costs approximately $8.50 per month.
Mainland Europe viewers can catch the tournament on Eurosport and HBO Max. If you're in China, free live streaming is accessible on Huya, with additional coverage on Migu, and pay-per-view options on CBSA-WPBSA Academy's WeChat and Douyin channels.
Other countries have specific broadcasters such as Now Sports in Hong Kong, Astro Supersport in Malaysia, True Sport in Thailand, Sportcast in Taiwan, and Sky Sport or Sky Go in New Zealand. WST Play is also available in New Zealand.
Can I Watch the Northern Ireland Open for Free?
Free streaming options are primarily limited to viewers in China via the Huya platform. Outside China, free streams are generally not available, meaning viewers will need to subscribe to the relevant services in their country.
How to Use a VPN to Access Northern Ireland Open Coverage Abroad
If you're outside your home country and want to access local streams, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is useful to bypass regional restrictions. A VPN can make your device appear to be in a country where the tournament is officially available, allowing you to watch the coverage as if you were local.
NordVPN is a top recommendation for this purpose due to its reliable access to streaming services worldwide, fast speeds, strong security, and 24/7 support. Plans start as low as $3.39 per month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Getting the Full Experience on Mobile and Social Media
Most broadcasters offer streaming apps or mobile web access, enabling you to watch the Northern Ireland Open on smartphones or tablets. Stay updated with match highlights and news through the World Snooker Tour's official social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.
What to Know About the 2026 Northern Ireland Open
This year's tournament includes emotional stories such as Mark Allen's public mental health revelations and early-round upsets of star players like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump. The event culminates with the Alex Higgins Trophy final on October 25, awarding £100,000 to the winner. Alex Higgins, a snooker legend, lends his name to this prestigious trophy.