Qinhuangdao, China – The 2026 Joy Cup World Heyball Masters Grand Finals officially commenced on March 19th with a vibrant Opening Ceremony, marking the beginning of one of the most prestigious events on the international heyball calendar.
Organized under the auspices of the World Pool Association (WPA), the championship is being held in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China, bringing together the world’s top cue sports athletes to compete for a total prize fund of ¥11,584,000 CNY (approximately $1,677,349 USD).
The opening ceremony welcomed players, officials, and fans from across the globe, celebrating the continued growth and global expansion of heyball. The event sets the stage for nearly two weeks of elite-level competition, showcasing the sport at its highest standard. The ceremony was attended by distinguished delegates Mr. Qiao Yuanxu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of JOY Billiards; Gunilla Lindberg, Secretary General of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), former IOC Vice President, and current member of the IOC New Events Evaluation Committee; Gustavo Satio Harada, ANOC Director of NOC Relations;and officials from the World Pool Association Mr. Ishaun Singh, President, and Mr. Jorgen Sandman, Sports Director, and its affiliated federations, alongside representatives of the event organizers and partners. Their presence underscored the importance of the championship within the global cue sports calendar and highlighted the continued collaboration driving the growth of heyball internationally.
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Day One Delivers Early Drama and Major Upsets
Following the ceremony, the tournament moved into competitive action with the International Group – Stage 1 (128 to 32, Race to 13), where several standout performances and surprising results highlighted an intense opening day.
In one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, Julian Serradilla (Switzerland) defeated reigning World No.1 Jack Whelan in a thrilling hill-hill encounter, edging the match 13–12.
Another headline result saw rising talent Kieran Dempsey (New Zealand) produce a remarkable performance to overcome former world champion Darren Appleton (Great Britain), also by a narrow 13–12 margin.
These early results underline the depth of talent in the field and the unpredictable nature of the competition, as emerging players continue to challenge established stars on the global stage.
A Global Stage for Heyball Excellence
The tournament schedule is structured as follows:
- International Qualifier: March 14 – March 18
- Opening Ceremony: March 19
- Main Stage: March 20 – March 31
With players competing across multiple stages and formats, culminating in the Grand Final, the event represents one of the largest and most competitive heyball tournaments in the world.
The champion will earn ¥5,000,000 CNY (approximately $724,045 USD), reflecting the scale and prestige of the event, alongside significant payouts across all finishing positions.
To support participating athletes, complimentary shuttle services have been arranged from Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport to Qinhuangdao.
Prize Breakdown (Pre-Tax)
| Position | Prize (CNY) | Prize (USD) | Spots |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | 5,000,000 | $724,045 | 1 |
| 2nd Place | 1,500,000 | $217,213 | 1 |
| 3rd Place | 600,000 | $86,885 | 1 |
| 4th Place | 300,000 | $43,442 | 1 |
| 5th – 8th | 150,000 | $21,721 | 4 |
| 9th – 16th | 80,000 | $11,584 | 8 |
| 17th – 32nd | 40,000 | $5,792 | 16 |
| 33rd – 64th | 20,000 | $2,896 | 32 |
| 65th – 128th | 12,000 | $1,737 | 64 |
| 129th – 240th | 8,000 | $1,158 | 112 |
* Prize amounts are subject to the actual exchange rate. Prize money for ranks 17th to 240th will be paid in Chinese RMB in cash after tax.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more high-level matches, dramatic finishes, and breakthrough performances as players compete for one of the sport’s most coveted titles.
The WPA continues to support the growth and global development of heyball, reinforcing its commitment to expanding the sport and providing world-class competitive platforms for athletes worldwide.
