QIANWEI, CHINA — The “O’MIN · CUELEES QIANWEI” Duya Legends Golden Nine Open has officially opened at the Blue Gem Arena in Qianwei, Sichuan, marking the beginning of the 2026–2027 Duya Legends season.
The opening event brings together 802 billiards athletes from 28 countries and regions, creating an international field for the first stop of the new Duya Legends season.
The tournament is guided by the Leshan Municipal Sports Bureau, supported by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and the China Association of Small and Medium Commercial Enterprises Billiards Industry Branch, and hosted by the People’s Government of Qianwei County. The event is organized by the relevant Qianwei and Duya sports and cultural organizations.
A New Season Begins
The Duya Legends 2026–2027 Season follows a structure of four ranking events and one Grand Final. Each ranking stop carries a ¥2 million champion prize, while the season culminates in a ¥10 million global championship prize.
The Qianwei opening therefore represents more than the start of a single tournament. It marks the beginning of a new season of international Golden Nine competition, bringing players from across five continents together in China.
WPA Welcomes the New Season
Representing the WPA at the opening ceremony was Mr. Olav Skrudland, Director of Youth Sports of the World Pool-Billiard Association.
In his address, Skrudland welcomed the start of the new Duya Legends season and thanked the Qianwei County People’s Government, O’MIN · CUELEES, Duya Billiards and the wider organizing team, partners and fans for bringing the event to Qianwei.
He highlighted the scale of the tournament, with 802 athletes from 28 countries and regions, a ¥2 million champion prize and a ¥5.149 million total prize fund. He also emphasized the ability of international billiards competition to connect players and audiences across borders while contributing to Qianwei’s broader sports and cultural ambitions.
“WPA is delighted to join you all in opening the new season.”
International Field Takes the Stage
The opening ceremony featured the participation of athletes representing 28 countries and regions. The international field includes experienced players alongside emerging competitors, with athletes travelling from across the world to compete for the Golden Nine title.
The ceremony concluded with the official opening break, performed by distinguished guests including representatives of the WPA, Chinese billiards organizations, title sponsors O’MIN · CUELEES and Duya Billiards.
Following the countdown of “3–2–1, Break!”, the simultaneous opening break officially launched the O’MIN · CUELEES QIANWEI · DUYA LEGENDS GOLDEN NINE OPEN.
Golden Nine Meets Qianwei Culture
The opening ceremony also highlighted Qianwei’s cultural heritage. A light and laser presentation was followed by “Impressions of Qianwei,” a cultural performance showcasing elements of the city’s heritage, including its jasmine fields, ancient temple towns and historic railway culture.
The event is being presented as part of a wider integration of sport, culture and tourism, with Qianwei using the international tournament as an opportunity to welcome athletes, fans and visitors from around the world.
Industry Support
The Golden Nine Open is supported by a broad group of billiards-industry partners. Title sponsors O’MIN · CUELEES bring more than three decades of billiards equipment manufacturing experience, while the Duya Golden Duya Table serves as the competition table for the event.
The tournament material also identifies more than 40 industry brands supporting the event, including Liberwin Cloth, Shouyiren Liquor, Aramith Billiards, Ye Bao Cues and ArchBenz Cues.
Eleven Days of International Competition
Competition will continue over the next 11 days at the Blue Gem Arena, with players from around the world competing throughout the tournament. The event coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival period and the approach of China’s National Day, adding an important cultural dimension to the international sporting occasion.
For the WPA, the opening of the Duya Legends Golden Nine Open represents another significant development in the international growth of billiards and the continued connection between players, fans and sporting communities across borders.
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The O’MIN · CUELEES QIANWEI DUYA LEGENDS GOLDEN NINE OPEN is underway, with the world’s best Golden Nine players battling it out across the tables in Qianwei.
🏆 ¥2 MILLION CHAMPION PRIZE
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Follow every break, every rack and every battle as the road to the Golden Nine title continues.
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The 2026–2027 Duya Legends season is officially underway in Qianwei.
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