Snooker UK Championship kicks off …

< Back to blog

Snooker UK Championship kicks off … Posted On 30 November 2020

The UK Snooker Championship will see big-hitters Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby battling it out to take Ding Junhui’s crown…

One of snooker’s most prestigious Triple Crown events, the UK Championship, started last week. It is the second-biggest ranking tournament after the World Championship. First held in 1977 in Blackpool, this year’s competition will take place at two venues to comply with Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.

The qualifiers and first round will be staged at the Marshall Arena in Milton keynes before reverting back to its usual home at the York Barbican. The first round will begin on the 23^rd-26^th November, while the second round starts on the 28^th November till the 6^th December.

Ronnie O’Sullivan holds the record for the most wins in the tournament with seven titles, closely followed by Steve Davis with six and Stephen Hendry – who has just announced his return to the sport – with five. Last year saw Ding Junhui beat Stephen Maguire in the final, 10-6.

It was Ding Junhui’s third UK Championship title, and despite Covid-19 restrictions, he should be in York to defend his title. He is currently ranked 10^th in the world, with Judd Trump number one. Famous names such as O’Sullivan, Selby, Allen, Higgins and Murphy complete the top 10 and should be in this year’s tournament.

This year’s tournament is sponsored by Betway and offers total prize money of £1,009,000 with £200,000 for the winner.

First Round – 23^rd – 26^th November – Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.

Second Round and Finals – 28^th November – 6^th December – York Barbican.