BLOIS - The World Three-cushion championship, to be held in Antwerp this year, will get the French city of Blois as organizer one year later in 2026. It is 10 years ago that the French federation held the World championship, then organized by Kozoom in Bordeaux: in 2015 with Torbjörn Blomdahl as the winner. Dani Sánchez won in 2016. The organizer in Blois is Patrice Lalanne, who last year organized the World championship for juniors under 22 and ladies. The organization will again be a triptych: in a fortnight from 15 to 27 May 2026, first the Worlds for juniors and women followed by the men’s event.
Patrice Lalanne: ’’The main World championship will definitely be played in Blois from 23 to 27 May, but it is not yet certain in which venue. We want the best possible venue and still have two months to decide definitively.’’ The junior and women's championships, in the week before, will more than likely be played in the south of France. Patrice Lalane: ’’I am responsible with my team for the organization, but it is good for the spread that we do the championships together with another part of France. For now, there are contacts with a city near Bordeaux or with Agen in the Garonne departement.‘’ Well-known French referee Hervé Lacombe is the club administrator there.
The organization of the World Championship follows the year in which Kurt Ceulemans is the man in charge in Antwerp. He and his team are planning a trio of World Cups and next year's World Championship. That will be played at the AED studios in Lint not far from Antwerp.
Kurt Ceulemans has a great plan in mind with not only an interesting program for billiard lovers. ’’We’re going to make a fantastic event with lots of activities for everyone.‘’ The venue will accommodate over 1,000 spectators with room for horeca and Vips in the upstairs hall and spectators in the billiard arena. ‘’We are perfectly on schedule with our team, sponsors and staff,‘’ Kurt Ceulemans can already say before. The World Cup is just before the World Championship from 6 to 12 October 2025.
Kurt Ceulemans, the organizer in Antwerp: perfect schedule.