KIELCE, POLAND – The World Pool Association (WPA) is pleased to announce the upcoming 2026 European Heyball Championships and European Heyball Open, taking place in Kielce, Poland, from 1–10 August 2026.
Organized by the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) in partnership with the Polish Billiard Association (PZBil) and FORTIS Kielce, the events are sanctioned by the World Pool Association (WPA) under the governance framework of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), continuing the rapid international growth of Heyball across Europe and beyond.
Hosted at the renowned Grand Hotel Kielce, the championships will transform the venue into Europe’s premier Heyball arena with 16 professional JOY Heyball tables welcoming nearly 150 athletes from five continents, representing more than 20 European nations alongside competitors from countries including the United States, South Africa, Japan, Thailand, and New Zealand.
The competition opens with the European Heyball Championships from 1–5 August, where Europe’s top men and women will compete for continental titles in both individual and team competitions, marking the first time team medals will be contested at the European Championships.
Immediately following, the European Heyball Open will run from 6–10 August, bringing together elite international athletes for one of the most prestigious WPA-sanctioned Heyball ranking events of the season. The tournament features 64 men and 64 women competing for a combined prize fund of USD $116,000.
Following the European Championships, the European Heyball Open will be broadcast live worldwide on WPALive.TV, the World Pool Association’s official digital streaming platform. Fans across the globe will have access to every table, live scoring, and comprehensive tournament coverage, bringing the world’s best Heyball athletes directly to audiences everywhere. The broadcast continues WPA’s commitment to expanding the global reach of Pool through innovative, accessible, and high-quality digital coverage.
Beyond the competition, fans around the world will enjoy comprehensive live coverage throughout the event. Every table will be broadcast, with dedicated feature-table production, English commentary, player interviews, highlights, and daily content delivered across multiple international media platforms.
The event also highlights the continued collaboration between the WPA and its continental federation, the EPBF, in expanding Heyball throughout Europe while creating greater opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest international level.
Ishaun Singh, President of the World Pool Association, welcomed the upcoming championships:
“The European Heyball Championships and European Heyball Open demonstrate the continued growth of Heyball as a truly global discipline. Europe has embraced the sport with remarkable enthusiasm, and these events provide an important platform for athletes to compete, develop, and inspire the next generation of players. We thank the European Pocket Billiard Federation, the Polish Billiard Association, FORTIS Kielce, our partners, officials, and volunteers for their commitment to delivering another world-class championship.”
The WPA also acknowledges the outstanding efforts of the European Pocket Billiard Federation, under the leadership of President Gre Leenders, and the Polish Billiard Association, led by Grzegorz Kędzierski, whose collaboration continues to strengthen Europe’s position as one of the leading regions for international Heyball competition.
With world-class facilities, elite athletes, international officials, and extensive global broadcast coverage, Kielce is once again set to become the centre of European Heyball, showcasing the sport’s continued momentum on the road to future WPA World Championships.
Event Information
European Heyball Championships
1–5 August 2026
European Heyball Open
6–10 August 2026
📍 Venue: Grand Hotel Kielce, Poland
Athletes: Over 150 competitors from five continents
European Heyball Open Prize Fund: USD $116,000
Equipment: 16 JOY Professional Heyball Tables
Global Broadcast: TVSports, WPA Live, and international broadcast partners
Media Contact
World Pool Association (WPA)
Media & Marketing
📧 media@wpapool.com
🌐 www.wpapool.com
For media inquiries, interview requests, broadcast information, and accreditation, please contact the WPA Media & Marketing team.
