How to qualify in Billiards
How players qualify for the IBSF World Billiards Championship
Checked 20 October 2026Valid for: the 2026 IBSF World Billiards Championship (Carlow, Ireland, April 2026), from the IBSF announcement as posted by the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) and by Cue Sports India; the 2025 notice gives the same rule. Not covered: the IBSF World Snooker Championships (amateur); the professional World Billiards Championship of the WPBSA; the 150-up (short) format in detail.
There is no qualifying event. Each IBSF member country can send 8 players. On top of that, the IBSF invites the last 8 players from the previous year's championship, so strong players keep their place even if their country's eight are taken.
| Who | Places |
|---|---|
| Each member country | 8 players |
| Last 8 of the previous championship | invited |
India has many of the world's best amateur billiards players, so the eight Indian places are competitive; India's selection is made through the national body.
2026 details
- Venue: the SBI academy, Carlow, Ireland.
- Matches 25 to 28 April 2026 (players' meeting 24 April).
- Entry fee US$150 per player; entries closed 22 March 2026.
- Countries that had not paid the 2025 IBSF membership could not enter players online.
Format
Matches are timed, not played to a points target:
| Round | Time |
|---|---|
| Group matches | 90 minutes |
| Knockout up to the quarter-finals | 120 minutes |
| Semi-finals | 150 minutes |
| Final | 180 minutes |
The WCBS notice gives the dates as 24 to 29 April and the closing date as "22nd March 2025", which looks like a typing slip for 2026. Cue Sports India gives 25 to 28 April and 22 March 2026. The page uses the Cue Sports India version, which also matches the players' meeting date.