Wilson beats Higgins to complete back-to-back title double

Kyren Wilson has won the 2026 International Championship, defeating John Higgins 10-8 in a gripping final in Nanjing.

Higgins edged a high-quality opening session 5-4, highlighted by a superb 141 clearance. Wilson responded strongly in the evening with breaks of 70, 65, 130 and 54, but two trademark Higgins clearances kept the match finely balanced at 7-7.

Wilson moved ahead after a tense 15th frame and followed it with a brilliant 101 to open a two-frame gap. Higgins kept the contest alive by taking the 17th, before Wilson held his nerve to secure frame 18 and the trophy.

The victory gives Wilson back-to-back ranking titles after his Northern Ireland Open success and extends his winning run to 12 matches. It is the 12th ranking title of his career and earns him the £175,000 top prize.

Sources and further coverage: the World Snooker Tour match centre and TNT Sports’ final coverage.