Reading To Host Snooker Shoot-Out

The Hexagon in Reading will host snooker’s celebrated Shoot-Out event for the first time in 2016.

The Shoot-Out, first staged in 2011, was previously held in Blackpool and has become a firm favourite among fans for its non-stop thrilling action.

This season’s event runs from February 12 to 14 and will be staged at The Hexagon, a venue which previously held the Grand Prix tournament from 1984 to 1993.

The Shoot-Out, to be televised by ITV4 for the next three years, features 64 of the world’s top players in a knock-out format. Each match is a single frame lasting a maximum of ten minutes, with a shot clock of 15 seconds for the first five and ten seconds for the last five.

Michael White took the £32,000 top prize last season after beating Xiao Guodong by potting four balls in the last 40 seconds of an incredible final.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are delighted to bring the Shoot-Out to The Hexagon for the first time. It’s a fabulous venue and one which was renowned on the snooker circuit for many years when it hosted the Grand Prix.

“There are few events which can match the Shoot-Out for sheer exhilaration – I love the way the crowd get involved to support their favourites. For the players, it’s all about who can handle the pressure when the clock is ticking.

“This is great news for the people of Reading and the surrounding area as they will get the chance to see three days of drama on the green baize. Fans are strongly urged to book tickets fast once they are on sale as they won’t last long!”

Paul Gittings, Lead Councillor for Reading Culture, Sport and Consumer Services, added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome back world class snooker to The Hexagon; an iconic venue already steeped in snooker history. This televised tournament gives the opportunity for Reading to enjoy a thrilling fast paced tournament in a venue close to home. I have very fond memories of seeing the snooker greats at The Hexagon, and am glad a whole new generation can now experience this too.”

Higgins To Be Seeded At Champion of Champions

With the penultimate qualifying event – the International Championship – concluding this weekend in China, Matchroom Sport can announce that the final seeded player for the Champion of Champion will be Scotland’s John Higgins.

The current World No. 12 is the highest ranked player already qualified and will take his place in Group One alongside Joe Perry. Currently Ding Junhui is the 16th and final player in the Champion of Champions but that could all change if Thepchaiya Un-Nooh or David Gilbert were to win the International. Failing that eventuality, a new winner at next week’s Bulgarian Open could sneak in ahead of Ding.

The 2015 Champion of Champions takes place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry from 10th to 15th November and features previous winners of World Snooker-sanctioned events over the previous 12 months.

The eight seeded players are Stuart Bingham, Judd Trump, John Higgins, Joe Perry, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and Barry Hawkins. The unseeded players are Michael White, Stephen Maguire, Kyren Wilson, Zhou Yuelong, Yan Bingtao, Ali Carter and Rory McLeod. They will be joined by Ding Junhui provided there is not a new winner at the International or Bulgarian Open.

Each seeded player will play an unseeded opponent in a best-of-seven group match in the afternoon session with the two winners clashing over 11 frames in the evening. The four group winners will proceed to the best-of-11 semi-finals on Saturday, November 14 before Sunday, November 15 sees a two-session final played over 19 frames.

Ali Carter

Group Fixtures

Tuesday November 10, Group 3 (first match at 1pm)
Stuart Bingham (3) v To Be Drawn
Judd Trump (6) v To Be Drawn

Wednesday, November 11, Group 1 (first match at 1pm)
John Higgins v To Be Drawn
Joe Perry (8) v To Be Drawn

Thursday, November 12, Group 4 (first match at 1pm)
Neil Robertson (4) v To Be Drawn
Shaun Murphy (5) v To Be Drawn

Friday, November 13, Group 2 (first match at 1pm)
Mark Selby (2) v To Be Drawn
Barry Hawkins (7) v To Be Drawn

Tickets for this year’s Champion of Champions are now on sale at The Ticket Factory from just £10. Standard priced tickets for the weekend sessions are now sold out, but in anticipation of extra seats being released a waiting list has been set up at http://www.championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/tickets/.

The participation of all players is subject to contract.

ITV4 To Televise Snooker Shoot-Out

Snooker’s exhilarating Shoot-Out event will be televised by ITV4 for the next three years.

The one-frame knockout tournament was first staged in 2011 and it is among the most thrilling events on the calendar, with high drama ensured by a shot clock and matches lasting a maximum of ten minutes.

From this season it will be shown on free-to-air television for the first time, thanks to a new three-year deal between World Snooker and ITV.

The 2016 event will run from February 12 to 14, with 64 players battling for the £32,000 top prize.

Michael White lifted the trophy last season after beating Xiao Guodong by potting four balls in the last 40 seconds of an incredible final.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are delighted to bring the Shoot-Out to a free-to-air audience for the first time. It’s a fabulous event which has proved extremely popular for the fans in the arena and those at home.

“ITV4 have shown tremendous support for snooker in recent seasons, with live coverage of the Champion of Champions and World Grand Prix. They are clearly very happy with the viewing figures achieved as they continue to build their portfolio of snooker events with the Shoot-Out.

“It’s great news for fans that coverage on ITV4 is ensured for the next three years and we look forward to another weekend of sensational snooker in February.”

The venue and ticket details for the tournament will be announced soon.