Ho Chi Minh City 2026: Three International Billiards Events, $500,000 and a Dream to Reach the World

Saigon, a weekend evening at a small billiards club on Nguyen Tri Phuong Street. The balls clash like spring rain falling on a tin roof. A young man holds his cue, examines the trajectory of ball number 4, and takes a bold shot. The whole room holds its breath. Watching from a distance, I thought: perhaps the match doesn't truly begin when the cue touches the ball, but in that split second when the player chooses to believe in his hands. It's similar to what I write about other sports: The real game begins the moment the ball is not touched by anyone. In September 2026, Saigon will not only have small clubs that light up night after night. The city will become the center of the billiards world with a cluster of three major events, with a total prize fund of nearly half a million dollars. According to the announcement of the Predator Pro Billiard Series, the international billiards week will span eight days, from September 19 to 26, attracting many of the world's top players. Specifically, the three events include: the 2026 Iwan Simonis WPA Men's 10-Ball World Championship, with a prize fund of $300,000; the 2026 Poison Saigon Women's 9-Ball Open, with $90,000; and the 2026 Box Billiards Mixed Doubles Open, with $110,000. The events will be held in cooperation with the WPA – the World Pool-Billiard Association – and renowned brands such as Predator, Poison, Box Billiards, and Iwan Simonis. This is the first time such a world-class cluster of events of this scale has been organized in Vietnam. As someone who has followed Southeast Asian billiards for more than four decades, I see this as a strong affirmation of Ho Chi Minh City's position on the global billiards map. It is not accidental that organizers chose Vietnam: they've experienced the fiery passion of local audiences through previous events and believe this place possesses enough factors to become a strategic destination for the sport in the region. Moreover, according to recent research data, Vietnam ranks among the countries with the fastest growth in billiards players in Asia. This event is not merely a tournament, but a boost for Vietnamese billiards to take another step forward. I still remember my lesson from 2026, when an editor rejected my article with the note: too much emotion, too little data. Since then, I've always sought a balance between numbers and heart. Looking at this tournament, I find a promising signal: the structure of the three events – men's, women's, and mixed doubles – indicates sustainable growth, giving both genders their own space. Introducing mixed doubles into the same system is a daring experiment, promising thrilling matches that require excellent coordination not only in technique but also emotions between partners. However, as someone who has worked with numbers for years, I cannot ignore one thing: the official press release states the total prize fund as $490,000, while a simple addition of the three events yields $500,000. That $10,000 discrepancy is an enigma. It could be a simple typo, but it makes me question the accuracy of other figures in the release. If even the prize money lacks consistency, can the organization truly be flawless? Organizers might respond that everything is carefully planned, but I believe Vietnamese billiards fans, who are quite astute, will notice this issue. This is also a small lesson for local organizing units: professionalism lies in every detail, including published numbers. For Vietnamese players, this tournament offers an invaluable stage. They can compete at home without worrying about entry procedures or travel costs. But the opportunity truly opens when they have enough confidence and thorough preparation. I have seen many young talents in Saigon, Can Tho, and even in remote villages, practicing night after night with the dream of going global. September will be where that dream is tested. But what I wish for most is that after the event concludes, beyond crowned champions, a younger generation will be inspired – children who see a path to conquer this sport with their own real ability. I often say to young sports writers that there are goals not reflected on the scoreboard, but in the breath of the crowd. The same applies to billiards. When the final cue stops, when the champions are named, what remains in spectators' hearts may not be the enormous prize money, but the pride that their city receives the world's attention. During the eight days of September, Ho Chi Minh City promises to be a festival of passion, of fierce competition, and of unforgettable moments. Go there, sit beside a pool table, feel the breath of those around you, and let yourself be swept up in every shot. For perhaps it is in that very atmosphere that the most important match of your life begins.