Jak Jones has been crowned the 2026 BetVictor Championship League Ranking champion after defeating David Gilbert 3-2 in a thrilling final at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. The victory earns the Welshman a £33,000 winner’s cheque and marks the first professional ranking title of his career.
Reflecting on his breakthrough triumph, Jones said: “It feels unreal, I was more nervous tonight than I was in the world final. It’s a monkey off my back and good to get that out of the way. It’s great for my wife and son who support me. And my parents have spent 15 years watching me lose, so it’s nice to win one for them.”
Jones faced 2021 Championship League winner David Gilbert in the final, with Gilbert taking the opening frame in style thanks to a superb break of 104. Jones responded with a run of 64 to level the contest before Gilbert regained the advantage with a break of 66 in frame three.
The turning point came in the fourth frame. Trailing early and trapped in a difficult snooker, Jones produced a remarkable four-cushion escape to strike the brown and leave the table safe before seizing control with a superb break of 86 to force a deciding frame.
Gilbert had the first chance in the decider but could only make 11 before missing a red with the rest. Jones took full advantage with a break of 55 and, after both players missed opportunities under pressure, the Welshman returned to the table to complete a famous victory and lift his maiden ranking trophy.
Jones’ route to the title was built on consistency throughout the tournament. In Stage One, he opened with a commanding 3-0 victory over Hossein Vafaei, compiling a tournament-high break of 116, before drawing 2-2 with Zhang Anda. He secured top spot in the group with another 3-0 success against Dylan Emery, producing breaks of 70 and 87 to progress.
After topping his group in each stage of the 21-day tournament, Jones booked his place in the final and completed a memorable campaign by claiming the first ranking title of his professional career.
The victory represents a significant milestone for the 32-year-old, who announced himself on the biggest stage by reaching the 2024 World Championship final. Following a difficult spell over the past two seasons, Jones has now returned to winning form with the biggest title of his career to date.
As BetVictor Championship League champion, Jones not only pockets the £33,000 top prize but also secures a coveted place in this year’s Champion of Champions. The prestigious invitational returns to the Mattioli Arena in Leicester from 10–16 November.
Don’t miss Jak Jones in action at the Champion of Champions as he joins snooker’s elite in Leicester – purchase your tickets now.
The 2026 BetVictor Championship League Ranking event ran from 22 June to 15 July at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester, launching the new World Snooker Tour season and offering a 128-player field the opportunity to claim the campaign’s first ranking title.