The welcome ceremony for the 2026 World Snooker Shanghai Masters was held at Yuyuan Garden on July 26, bringing together leading snooker players from around the world.

Among the participants were current world No 1 Judd Trump, defending champion Kyren Wilson, snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan, and top Chinese contenders Ding Junhui, Zhao Xintong, and Wu Yize.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, a five-time winner of the Shanghai Masters, expressed his fondness for the city. "I love Shanghai. It's a great city. I don't think there's anything new for me to try food-wise in China, unless there's been a new invention in the last 12 months. Every time I come here, I try different things," he said.

O'Sullivan also praised the friendliness and hospitality he has experienced in China, saying that visitors need to come to the country to appreciate its development and what makes it remarkable.

O'Sullivan inspired a new generation of snooker players, including China's two World Snooker Championship winners Zhao and Wu.

"I realize I play such a small part in their success because they're already very amazingly talented players. I'm really happy to see them do well. It feels like I'm giving back to snooker and to China. China has been so good to me, and I feel more love here from China than anywhere else in the world when I play snooker," he said.

Zhao said he and other Chinese players had benefited from O'Sullivan's guidance. He added that he would approach the competition step by step, perform to the best of his ability, and strive for better results, while emphasizing the importance of enjoying the stage.

With nine Chinese players, excluding wildcard entrants, competing in this year's tournament, the Shanghai Masters reflects the nation's growing strength in snooker.

Wu said the increasing number of Chinese players competing at the highest level showed that China's presence in the sport was steadily expanding and becoming stronger.

When asked whether Chinese players could account for more than half of the world's top 16, Zhao predicted that they would achieve that milestone within three years.

The Shanghai Masters, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, runs from July 27 to Aug 2 at Luwan Indoor Stadium.

To commemorate the occasion, a redesigned trophy was unveiled, featuring elements inspired by the snooker triangle, the flowing curves of the Huangpu River, and Shanghai's city flower, white magnolia.

Since its inception in 2007, the Shanghai Masters has risen to prominence as one of the most prestigious events on the World Snooker Tour.

"It has produced unforgettable moments, it has played an important role in the growth of snooker here in China and throughout the world," said Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.