The European Heyball Open – Kielce 2026 has officially begun at the Grand Hotel Kielce. The international tournament brings together players representing 28 countries from almost every continent.
Its opening followed the conclusion of the European Heyball Championships, keeping the capital of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship at the centre of international billiards.
The opening ceremony welcomed players, organisers, representatives of international federations, event partners, referees and journalists.
Among the distinguished guests were Gre Leenders, President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation; Viktoria Nagorna, representing the World Pool-Billiard Association; Grzegorz Kędzierski, President of the Polish Billiards Association; Marcin Krzemiński, President of the East European Billiard Council and Honorary President of the Polish Billiards Association; and Izabela Gajek, General Secretary of the Polish Billiards Association.
The ceremony was also attended by Gino de Router, Board Member of the EPBF; Urszula Kołodziejczyk, representing the tournament partner Targi Kielce; Piotr Dwurnik, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Polish Hotel Industry; and Ryszard Olbromski, President of CONTACT OK.
Kielce once again at the centre of international billiards
During the ceremony, Gre Leenders, President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation, also addressed the participants:
“I wish all the players excellent performances at the tables, fair competition and many memorable moments throughout the tournament. May the best players succeed, and may everyone enjoy the unique atmosphere of this international event”.
At the next Grzegorz Kędzierski highlighted the importance of the event not only for top-level competition, but also for the development of billiards among children and young people.
“On behalf of the Board of the Polish Billiards Association, I warmly welcome all guests and players to the Heyball World Cup – Kielce 2026.
Kielce and the Świętokrzyskie region have hosted many major billiards events, including European and World Championships. In Poland, nearly 2,000 children and young people train in billiards, mainly in schools. They look up to you, and we are delighted that they will have the chance to see top-level players in action.
Welcome to Poland. I wish you success, great matches and enjoyable competition. Let me welcome you with the words of our campaign: BILLIARDS – A SPORT FOR EVERYONE”.
The tournament was officially opened by Viktoria Nagorna, representing the World Pool-Billiard Association.
The ceremony also featured a symbolic first break performed by Grzegorz Kędzierski, Ryszard Olbromski and a student from the billiards class at Primary School No. 1 in Kielce.
The artistic programme included a musical performance by Daria Kierońska, which added a special atmosphere to the ceremony.
Thanks to the partners and sponsors
The organisers also expressed their gratitude to the organisations and partners supporting the tournament.
Special thanks were addressed to the World Pool-Billiard Association for its support and involvement, the European Pocket Billiard Federation for its excellent cooperation, Targi Kielce for its continued assistance, and the Grand Hotel Kielce for providing excellent conditions and strong organisational support.
The World Cup is another major billiards event staged in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. The European Heyball Championships had concluded at the same venue shortly before the start of the tournament, with both individual and team European titles decided in Kielce.
Players from 28 countries at the tables
The tournament features players from 28 countries, underlining the international reach and growing popularity of heyball.
Several days of top-level competition now lie ahead. Matches are being streamed live from all tables, allowing fans around the world to follow the tournament.
Kielce has once again become a meeting place for leading heyball players, while the international field confirms the continued global development of the discipline.
LIVE STREAM 1-10: www.youtube.com/@TVSPORTSPL
LIVE STREAM 11-16: www.youtube.com/@theepbf
MORE: www.epbf.com/tournaments/hey-ball
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Sponsors and partners
The sponsors and partners of the Championships are:
JOY from China, the European Pocket Billiard Federation, the Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the Marshal’s Office of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, FORTIS Bilard Kielce, Aramith from Belgium, LiberWin from China, DynaSpheres, Targi Kielce and Grand Hotel.
The event is held under the honorary patronage of Renata Janik, Marshal of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, and Jakub Rutnicki, Minister of Sport and Tourism.
Media partners
TVP3 Kielce, Sportklub Polska, TVSPORTS.PL, Radio Kielce, Echo Dnia, Telewizja Świętokrzyska, Radio EM, Radio Fama, Radio ESKA 2, CKsport.pl, W Kielcach, Allison Chang, AZBilliards, 77 Billiard, WPA Live and On Cue Podcast.