WCBS and bloomUp to Deliver First-Ever Sustainability Assessment at the 2026 Heyball World Cup in Brisbane

The World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) and global sustainability consultancy bloomUp are set to deliver the first-ever sustainability maturity assessment in cue sports during the 2026 Heyball World Cup, taking place from 15–19 January 2026 in Brisbane, Australia.

This initiative marks the first event in a four-event study under the WCBS–bloomUp Sustainability Project, launched earlier this year to embed sustainability across the cue sports ecosystem.

At the Heyball World Cup, bloomUp will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the event’s environmental, social, and economic sustainability performance. The results will benchmark the World Cup against global best practices and help shape a more sustainable future for cue sports.

Sanctioned by the World Pool Association (WPA) in partnership with Cue Sports Australia (CSA) and presented by JOY Billiards, the event will feature 32 men’s teams and 32 women’s teams from every continent, competing for a combined USD 865,200 prize fund — with equal prize money across genders. This structure and global representation make the World Cup a leading example of diversity, inclusion, and equality in sport.

Taking place in Brisbane, host city of the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the tournament comes at a pivotal moment as Billiards Sports have formally expressed interest in inclusion in the Olympic Programme for Brisbane 2032. Delivering a world-leading sustainability assessment further strengthens the event’s contribution to sport, society, and Olympic alignment.

Hosted at the Centre of Excellence at Marsden State High School, the World Cup will welcome athletes, officials, and fans from across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania — celebrating high-performance sport and international unity.

The assessment also opens new opportunities for event and sustainability partners to demonstrate leadership through measurable impact. Sponsors can align their participation with their corporate sustainability goals, gaining visibility through initiatives focused on responsible operations, community engagement, and environmental accountability.

“Our sponsors and partners have a unique opportunity to not just support a world-class event, but to help define a new benchmark for sustainability in cue sports.” – Ishaun Singh, Vice-President, WCBS

“This is more than an assessment — it’s a catalyst. The Heyball World Cup will inspire accountability, innovation, and long-term sustainability leadership across cue sports.” – Geert Hendriks, Co-Founder, bloomUp

A Global First for Cue Sports

The 2026 Heyball World Cup marks a defining moment in WCBS’ sustainability journey — the first practical step in a four-event series that will turn vision into action. By integrating sustainability evaluation directly into major tournaments, WCBS is laying the foundation for a future where every cue sports event delivers social value, minimizes environmental impact, and upholds global standards of responsibility.