The WR Sports World Cup of Pool 2026 is a members-only Blackball pool tournament running alongside the FIFA World Cup this summer.

The competition will begin on Monday 1st June 2026, with the FIFA World Cup starting on Thursday 11th June. Our tournament will run throughout June and July, finishing with the 3rd place playoff and final on Sunday 26th July 2026.

The tournament will feature 32 players split into 8 groups of 4. Each player will play the other three players in their group once. Group matches will be best of 3 frames.

The top 2 players from each group will qualify for the knockout stage.

Knockout format:

Last 16: Best of 5
Quarter-finals: Best of 7
Semi-finals: Best of 9
Final: Best of 11

A 3rd place playoff will also be played between the two losing semi-finalists.

All fixtures and results will be managed through the RackEm App. Players are responsible for arranging their own fixtures and submitting results promptly.

Ruleset:
All matches will be played under Blackball rules.

Eligibility:
This competition is open to WR Sports club members only.

Entry:
Entry fee is £5 per player. 100% of the prize pot will be paid out to the winner, runner-up and 3rd place.

Prize pot based on 32 players:
Winner: £100
Runner-up: £40
3rd place: £20

Draw:
This year’s tournament will be unseeded. All groups will be drawn randomly.

Group Stage:
There will be 8 groups of 4 players. Each player will play the other three players in their group once. Group matches will be best of 3 frames.

Group Scoring:
Players receive 3 points for a match win and 0 points for a loss. There are no drawn matches.

Group Standings:
If players are level on points, positions will be decided by:
1. Frame difference
2. Frames won
3. Head-to-head result
4. Fewest frames conceded
5. One-frame playoff, if required to decide qualification or knockout seeding

Qualification:
The top 2 players from each group will qualify for the knockout stage.

Knockout Stage:
Last 16: Best of 5
Quarter-finals: Best of 7
Semi-finals: Best of 9
Final: Best of 11

3rd Place Playoff:
A 3rd place playoff will be played between the two losing semi-finalists.

Deadlines:
All group matches must be completed by Tuesday 30th June 2026. Knockout matches will be played throughout July. The 3rd place playoff and final will be played on Sunday 26th July 2026.

Fixture Arranging:
Players are responsible for arranging their own fixtures through the RackEm App. Results must be submitted promptly after each match.

Match Costs:
Players are responsible for paying for their own frames/table costs up to the semi-final stage, pending club approval.

Disputes:
Any disputes should be raised with the tournament organisers as soon as possible. The organisers’ decision will be final.