Eddie Charlton, the event's promoter, won the title by defeating Ray Reardon by 31 frames to 24 in the final.

The 1976 tournament, which is not recognised as an edition of the World Snooker Championship, featured sixteen invited players.

Higgins was defeated 6–13 by Paddy Morgan, who then lost in the deciding frame of his semi-final match against Charlton.

[9] The tournament was staged from 28 November to 11 December 1976, at the Nunawading Basketball Centre in Burwood East, Melbourne, Australia, with 16 invited players participating, as an event distinct from the World Championship.

[10][11] John Spencer declined to participate as he was dissatisfied with how the 1975 World Snooker Championship had been conducted by Charlton's promotions company.

[12] On two further occasions after 1976, the WPBSA sanctioned the staging of the tournament, but it did not take place on either of them due to problems with organising the event.

[13] The tournament is recognised in Ian Morrison's Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Snooker (1987) as part of the same series as the World Professional Match-play Championship, whilst snooker statistician Chris Turner views them, and the later World Matchplay events as distinct from each other despite the similar titles.

[3][9] Prize money was awarded as follows:[10][14] The first round matches commenced on 25 November, and were contested over 25 frames, finishing on 2 December.

[15][18][17] Perrie Mans achieved a winning margin at 13–6 against John Dunning, and the pair split to remaining dead frames for a final scoreline of 16–9.

[15][17][19] Cliff Thorburn, facing Gary Owen, had difficulties with the joint of his two-piece cue stick.

[15][21] Morgan made a break of 104, consisting of thirteen reds and blacks, as he built a 12–6 lead against Higgins, and then won 13–6, with each of the pair winning three dead frames to leave the final score 16–9.

Charlton won the title 31–24 by clearing the colours after Reardon had failed an attempt to pot the black ball.