Philip Studd and Joe Johnson bring the commentary — watch Yize Wu v Stephen Maguire on HBO Max Europe and TNT Sports

The International Championship of snooker lands on 2 November 2026, when Yize Wu takes on Stephen Maguire in what is shaping up to be a headline tournament of the season. UK viewers can tune in at 11:30, with the whole event streamed in full on HBO Max Europe, home to every frame of the competition through TNT Sports' agreement with the World Snooker Tour. On the ground in the UK, TNT Sports carries the broadcast over its TNT Sports 1 HD (UK) channel.

The commentary this year comes from Philip Studd, the veteran ring-side presenter who headlines the tournament as main commentator, alongside Joe Johnson, his trusted co-commentator. The pair have built up a strong partnership over the years: across the record, Joe Johnson has worked with more than 270 occasions alongside Philip Studd, underscoring how much the two have come to rely on one another as the season has progressed.

About the commentators

Philip Studd has been a steady presence at these tournaments, and fans will recall him commentating last week's Judd Trump v Zhengyi Fan International Championship as well. His reputation for delivering the broadcast frame by frame has made him a natural choice for this year's headline event.

Joe Johnson brings a rich background to the ring. An English former professional snooker player, he became the British under-19 champion in 1971, defeating George Crimes in the final. He turned professional in 1979, having reached the finals of both the English Amateur Championship and the World Amateur Championship the previous year. As a commentator for TNT Sports, he is now 73 years old and has spoken candidly about his time at the world championships — including his mixed race heritage and how he endured racism while growing up in Bradford.

With both commentators in place and the full broadcast available across HBO Max Europe and TNT Sports, this is a tournament that offers plenty of drama and history alike. Tune in at 11:30 UK time to catch Yize Wu v Stephen Maguire in full.

Article generated: 2 November 2026, 11:31 GMT