Madhya Pradesh Hosts Historic Snooker World Championship in Indore
The 2026 IBSF World Snooker Championships return snooker to its roots in India, nearly 150 years after its inception.
Snooker's Grand Return to India
The city of Indore is set to host the 2026 IBSF World Snooker Championships from this Friday, marking an important milestone for Madhya Pradesh. Over the next nine days, this vibrant state will welcome back a sport that traces its origins to Jabalpur, nearly 150 years ago.
A Game Born in Jabalpur
Historically, snooker is believed to have been conceived on April 17, 1875, when British Army officer Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain introduced colored balls to a game called Black Pool while at an officers’ mess in Jabalpur, then known as Jubbulpore. Chamberlain, then a lieutenant with the Devonshire Regiment, sought to enhance the traditional format which comprised 15 red balls and a black, thereby laying the foundational rules of snooker.
The Meaning Behind Snooker
The term “snooker” itself originates from British military slang referring to inexperienced cadets at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. When an officer missed a routine shot, Chamberlain humorously dubbed him a “snooker,” and this playful label ultimately became synonymous with the game.
From its humble beginnings in a regimental mess, snooker gradually made its way into clubs and military circles, eventually receiving formalized rules and transitioning to a professional sport during the early 20th century. The inaugural World Snooker Championship took place in 1927, heralding the modern competitive era of this beloved game.
India's Rich Snooker Legacy
India has a rich tradition in cue sports, boasting renowned champions such as Wilson Jones, Michael Ferreira, Geet Sethi, and Pankaj Advani, enhancing the nation’s significance in the annals of snooker history. As Sunil Bajaj, general secretary of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) highlights, the 2026 championship is not just a sports event but a chance to acknowledge India’s vital role in the global sporting landscape.
As players from various parts of the globe flock to Indore, this championship symbolizes a homecoming of sorts to the very state where snooker’s tale began. From its casual experimentation in Jabalpur to the prestigious world championship platform in Indore, the sport's journey has indeed come full circle.
A Celebration of Snooker
Organized by the BSFI in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Billiards and Snooker Association (MPBSA), this championship will bring together elite male and female players for ten exciting days. It firmly establishes Madhya Pradesh on the international snooker map, showcasing its ties to the sport's rich heritage.