| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 17–24 February 1996 |
| Venue | Link Centre |
| City | Swindon |
| Country | England |
| Organisation | WPBSA |
| Format | Ranking event |
| Total prize fund | £321,400 |
| Winner's share | £60,000 |
| Highest break | 144 |
| Final | |
| Champion |  John Higgins (SCO) |
| Runner-up |  Rod Lawler (ENG) |
| Score | 9–3 |
← 1995 1997 → | |
The 1996 International Open (officially the 1996 Sweater Shop International Open) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 17 and 24 February 1996 at the Link Centre in Swindon, England.
John Higgins defended his title by defeating Rod Lawler 9–3 in the final. This was the first time that Lawler reached the final of a ranking event.