Kyren Wilson defeated Jak Jones 9-2 to win the 2026 Northern Ireland Open at Belfast's Waterfront Hall. Wilson built a 6-2 lead with three centuries in the opening session, completed the evening session in only 45 minutes and collected the £100,000 first prize.
Who won the 2026 Northern Ireland Open final?
Wilson won the Alex Higgins Trophy for the second time by overpowering Jones 9-2. The victory ended a 19-month wait for another ranking title and increased Wilson's career total to 11.
The final was effectively decided across two bursts. Wilson's three centuries created a four-frame advantage in the afternoon, then he won all three frames required in the evening before Jones could establish a comeback.
| Final summary | Result |
|---|---|
| Champion | Kyren Wilson |
| Runner-up | Jak Jones |
| Final score | 9-2 |
| Opening-session score | Wilson led 6-2 |
| Evening-session score | Wilson won 3-0 |
| Evening duration | 45 minutes |
| Champion's prize | £100,000 |
How did Wilson take control in the opening session?
Wilson produced three century breaks as he established a 6-2 advantage. His heavy scoring repeatedly punished Jones for mistakes and prevented the Welshman from building momentum across consecutive frames.
The four-frame lead gave Wilson control of both the score and the rhythm of the final. Jones needed a fast start in the evening, while Wilson required only three frames to complete the championship.
Wilson's scoring display also reflected his form throughout the week. Several leading players had exited early, but he accepted the responsibility of becoming the highest-profile contender left in the draw and maintained consistent break-building through the final.
How did Wilson finish the final in only 45 minutes?
Wilson had the first opportunity of the evening and scored 44 before accidentally potting the black while playing a red. He regained control with a long red and accumulated enough points to take frame nine, extending his lead to 7-2.
In the next frame, Wilson undercut a difficult black when on 34, but returned to the table and added 45 to move one frame from victory. Jones then scored only six in frame 11 before missing a routine black from its spot.
Wilson responded with a title-winning break of 75. The clearance completed his seventh victory in eight career meetings with Jones and ended the evening session without the runner-up winning a frame.
Why is Wilson's second Belfast title important?
Wilson previously won the Northern Ireland Open in 2024. His 2026 victory makes him one of only three players—alongside Judd Trump and Mark Allen—to win the tournament more than once.
The championship also ended a ranking-title drought stretching back to the 2025 Players Championship. Wilson won the invitational Shanghai Masters and Masters during the intervening period, but had not returned to the winner's circle in a ranking event for 19 months.
His 11th ranking title moves him to 12th outright on the all-time list, one ahead of Jimmy White. That position places Wilson immediately behind Mark Allen, who has 12, and reinforces his standing among the most successful ranking-event winners of the modern era.
How did the victory change Wilson's rankings and bonuses?
Wilson remains ninth in the official world rankings, but his position on the one-year list improved from 17th to fifth. The result also lifted him into the top 16 on the Race to the Crucible list, strengthening his prospects of avoiding World Championship qualifying.
The title places Wilson at the front of the £150,000 Home Nations bonus race. He leads Ali Carter by £13,200 with the Scottish and Welsh events still to be played.
| Ranking or financial measure | Position after Belfast |
|---|---|
| Official world ranking | 9th |
| One-year ranking | 5th, up from 17th |
| Race to the Crucible | Inside the top 16 |
| Career ranking titles | 11 |
| All-time ranking-title position | 12th |
| Northern Ireland Open titles | 2 |
| Home Nations bonus advantage | £13,200 over Ali Carter |
The one-year rise also puts Wilson on course to qualify for all three tournaments in the 2027 Players Series. That is a meaningful recovery after he missed the opportunity to defend his Players Championship title during the previous season.
What did the Belfast final mean for Jak Jones?
Jones could not reproduce the level that had brought him two ranking titles earlier in the season. His errors were consistently punished, and the 6-2 opening-session deficit left almost no margin for a slow start in the evening.
The runner-up prize of £45,000 still moves Jones from 24th to 18th in the world rankings. Another deep run at the International Championship could give him a chance to earn a top-16 seeding for both the UK Championship and the Masters.
Jones had already won the Championship League in July and the British Open in September. Victory in Belfast would have made him the fastest player to win his first three ranking titles, surpassing the six-month sequence achieved by John Higgins in 1994-95.
What comes next for Wilson and Jones?
Wilson leaves Belfast with renewed ranking-event momentum, improved qualification positions and the lead in the Home Nations bonus race. His immediate task is to convert this victory into consistent results at the upcoming major tournaments.
Jones travels to China for the International Championship with a realistic opportunity to move into the top 16. Although the final was one-sided, his third significant run of the season confirms that his breakthrough year remains on course.
What was the score in the 2026 Northern Ireland Open final?
Kyren Wilson defeated Jak Jones 9-2 at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
How many centuries did Wilson make in the final?
Wilson made three century breaks during the opening session.
How much prize money did Wilson win?
Wilson received £100,000 for winning the Northern Ireland Open.
How many ranking titles has Kyren Wilson won?
The Belfast victory was the 11th ranking title of Wilson's career.
How many Northern Ireland Open titles does Wilson have?
Wilson has won the event twice, in 2024 and 2026.
