YAPP LEADS STAR-STUDDED US OPEN DRAW AS 16 FORMER CHAMPIONS EYE GLORY IN FRISCO, 25–30 AUGUST

The 2026 US Open Pool Championship draw is set, with World No.1 and defending champion Aloysius Yapp leading a star-studded 256-player field featuring 16 former champions, including five-time winner Shane Van Boening and reigning World Champion Carlo Biado, all chasing glory at Embassy Suites, in Frisco, Texas, from 25–30 August.

Fans in the US and Latin America can watch the full tournament on ESPN, while fans across the globe can watch four tables of action on WNT TV.

The 256-player field features an incredible 16 former US Open champions, with 44 countries represented across the draw, including 124 players from the United States competing on home soil.

Selected First Round Matches:

Aloysius Yapp (SGP) v Martin Wragg (GBR)
Shane Van Boening (USA) v Glen Davis (USA)
Eklent Kaçi (ALB) v Earl Strickland (USA)
Aleksa Pecelj (SRB) v Johnny Archer (USA)
Elliott Sanderson (GBR) v Corey Deuel (USA)
Darren Appleton (GBR) v Tommy Kennedy (USA)
Carlo Biado (PHI) v Juan Parra (USA)
Fedor Gorst (USA) v Christopher Sharier (USA)
Jayson Shaw (GBR) v Henry Cha (USA)
Joshua Filler (GER) v James Blackburn (USA)

View the full draw at www.wntlivescores.com.

Yapp will begin his title defence against Britain’s Martin Wragg, as the Singaporean looks to continue his reign at the top of the World Nineball Tour and become the first player since 2013 to successfully defend the US Open title.

Five-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening will enter the tournament in red-hot form following his Florida Open triumph earlier this month, with the American now targeting a record-breaking sixth US Open title.

Van Boening begins his campaign against fellow American Glen Davis, as he looks to add another chapter to his illustrious US Open legacy.

There is an immediate test for five-time champion Earl Strickland, who has been drawn against Albania’s Eklent Kaçi in one of the opening round’s headline clashes.

Former US Open champion Johnny Archer will also face a tough opening assignment, with Arizona Open finalist Aleksa Pecelj standing in his way.

Two former US Open champions will meet in the opening round as Darren Appleton takes on Tommy Kennedy, while fellow former champion Fedor Gorst faces America’s Christopher Sharier as he looks to claim a second US Open title.

Reigning World Champion Carlo Biado will begin his campaign against American Juan Parra, while former US Open champion Corey Deuel meets Britain’s Elliott Sanderson.

Elsewhere, former US Open champion Jayson Shaw faces Henry Cha, while reigning UK Open champion Joshua Filler takes on America’s James Blackburn.

With 256 players from 44 countries, including 124 Americans, a $500,000 prize fund and $100,000 awaiting the champion, the 49th US Open Pool Championship promises six days of world-class nineball action in Frisco.

The tournament will take place at Embassy Suites in Frisco from 25–30 August, with the world’s best players battling for one of the most prestigious titles in professional pool.

The full draw for the 2026 US Open Pool Championship is available to view on www.wntlivescores.com.

Fans in the US and Latin America can tune in via ESPN+, while fans around the world can follow four-table coverage on WNT TV.

Full broadcast information, including international broadcast partners and viewing details, will be announced soon.

For all the latest updates, follow World Nineball Tour on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.