YAPP BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE, WHILE VAN BOENING AND WORLD CHAMPION BIADO HUNT GLORY IN 2026 FLORIDA OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW

The draw has been confirmed for the 2026 Florida Open Pool Championship, with defending champion Aloysius Yapp, five-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening, and reigning World Champion Carlo Biado among the star names set for a blockbuster opening round at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando from 4–9 August.

The World Nineball Tour returns to Florida for the second edition of the event, with 256 players from 46 countries competing for a share of the $225,000 prize fund — including a $40,000 first prize.

A total of 121 players from the US will compete on home soil as the world’s best nineball players battle it out across six days of elite action.

Selected First Round Matches:
Aloysius Yapp (SGP) v BJ Ussery (USA)
Carlo Biado (PHI) v Landon Hollingsworth (USA)
Shane Van Boening (USA) v Payne Mcbride (USA)
Skyler Woodward (USA) v Robert Hart (USA)
Jesse Engel (USA) v Johnny Archer (USA)
Dean Shields (GBR) v Justin Bergman (USA)
Fraser Patrick (GBR) v Jeremy Jones (USA)
Eklent Kaçi (ALB) v Walter Laikre (SWE)
Jesús Atencio (VEN) v Eliseo Omar Marin Pinto (PAN)
Jayson Shaw (GBR) v Jorge Pintado (USA)

View the full draw at www.wntlivescores.com

Defending champion and top seed Aloysius Yapp begins his second title defence of the year, this time against America’s BJ Ussery.

Reigning World Champion Carlo Biado returns to Orlando looking to add another Matchroom major title to his collection, with the Filipino star opening his campaign against America’s Landon Hollingsworth.

Shane Van Boening will be looking for redemption after finishing runner-up at last year’s inaugural Florida Open. The five-time US Open champion meets fellow countryman Payne Mcbride in the opening round as he looks to go one better and claim the Florida Open title on home soil.

Two-time Mosconi Cup MVP Skyler Woodward is also in action against Robert Hart, with the American star searching for his first Matchroom major title. Elsewhere, Britain’s Dean Shields faces Justin Bergman, with the American looking to make a deep run in Florida as he continues his pursuit of a place on Team USA for the 2026 Mosconi Cup.

Last year’s Mosconi Cup champion and Team Europe captain Jayson Shaw is set to meet Jorge Pintado, while former World Champion Johnny Archer makes his Florida Open debut against fellow American Jesse Engel.

Former UK Open champion Eklent Kaçi begins his campaign against former junior champion Walter Laikre, while Jesús Atencio meets Eliseo Omar Marin Pinto.

With 256 players from 46 countries, a $225,000 prize fund and some of the biggest names in world nineball all chasing the Florida Open title, the second edition of the championship promises six days of top-level competition at the Caribe Royale Resort.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the action live at the Caribe Royale Resort from 4–9 August. Secure your tickets here.

The full draw for the 2026 Florida Open Pool Championship will be available to view on www.wntlivescores.com.

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