I’ll bet you all thought everything was rosy after Matchroom and the World Pool Association had their kumbaya moment back in the spring, allowing players to enter events of their choosing without (theoretically) repercussion.

Well, all those fourth quarter event conflicts that freckled the calendar back then are in full swing now, and the ramifications for players and promoters are once again impacting the fields at various tournaments and could be felt well into 2026.

While the WPA World 10-Ball Championship in mid-September did not clash with a World Nineball Tour event, the impact of the Matchroom/WPA contract was clearly felt. Since previously banned players (predominantly players who competed in the WNT Hanoi Open in October 2024) were stripped of their WPA points, a number of top stars did not qualify for the world championship through points or through WPA member federation allotments. And the small number of wildcard entries available left players like Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, David Alcaide and Jayson Shaw on the outside looking in. (All opted to pass on entering a qualifying event in Vietnam ahead of the main tournament.)

The main upcoming conflicts pit the WNT Hanoi Open against the Predator/WPA World 8-Ball and World Doubles 10-Ball Championship in Indonesia, followed by the WNT Philippines Open in Manila clashing with the $450,000 Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Championship.

The fallout from the clashes is magnified by their impacts on both the Reyes Cup and Mosconi Cup WNT team events. Some players have indicated that a spot in either/both events is predicated on attendance in both Hanoi and Manila. With marquee (and rankings qualified) names like U.S. star Shane Van Boening and German strongman Joshua Filler already committed to the World 8-Ball and Qatar events, speculation is strong that neither will be asked to participate in either Reyes or Mosconi. Despite his lofty ranking, Filler was left off both squads in 2024 after skipping the Hanoi Open to protect his WPA status.

Once again, major international tournaments will feature incomplete fields.

Again, these standoffs have been expected and even anticipated. After six months of waiting, we’ll finally see players’ choices and Matchroom’s responses.

To me, however, the various conflicts and omissions, while long anticipated, are a stark reminder that unless Matchroom, the WPA and Predator find a way to work together on a 2026 calendar, the fallout from players once again having to make choices on where to compete will simply compound an already testy and inadequate situation.

The primary problems are twofold: First, according to sources, Matchroom’s agreement with the WPA technically runs through the end of 2027. But the contract also allows the two sides will review the contract in January 2026, with an option to terminate the remainder of the contract.

If Matchroom and the WPA are willing to revisit the contract in January, there are two topics I’d personally love to see them delve into. First, Matchroom needs to sanction its events with the WPA. In the current contract, WNT events are “ratified,” which allows Matchroom more operational control over each event, but the players don’t earn WPA points. It is painfully apparent that, given the growth in prize funds and in number of WPA events, those points are important to WNT players. Would the WPA be willing to sanction and still allow Matchroom operational leniency? I’d hope so. Second, pull out the WPA calendar and push Matchroom to pencil in dates for its events to not only avoid conflict, but to complement the existing schedule wherever possible. That is also where WPA sanction will help Matchroom. Let’s face it, promoters who sanction events with WPA are going to get date preference over promoters whose events are not sanctioned (or ratified).

Matchroom’s 2025 schedule (or lack thereof) was problematic throughout the year. Everyone is well aware of the logistical minefield the promoter has to negotiate in staging its events, but it’s time to start giving the players a schedule at the start of the year. And time is of the essence, since the 2026 WPA calendar already features at least six major events, including several Predator Pro Billiard Series tournaments, the China Open and Qatar 10-Ball World Cup.

What the pool world does not want (or need) is another year of event chaos, ultimatums and player angst. Pool is sitting on its most promising launchpad in decades. Look at the all the amazing opportunities out there for players. Now, think about their power and the impact they could have if they were presented in a rational and complementary fashion!

There will still be plenty of opportunity for the various promoters to market their individual brands. It’s time for all parties to concede a little turf protection for the betterment of the whole.