Some of the top names in snooker, including Neil Robertson and Jack Lisowski, will be competing in the World Championship qualifying rounds. The qualifying rounds will run between April 8 and April 17, with the main tournament beginning on April 20 and culminating on May 6. Players seeded outside of the top 16 will need to win a minimum of two matches to make it to the main stage. Among those competing in the qualifying rounds are Stuart Bingham, Stephen Maguire, Si Jiahui, Anthony McGill, Ryan Day, and Hossein Vafaei.
In addition to the professional players, 16 invited amateur players will also be competing in the qualifiers. Players like six-time world finalist Jimmy White will need to win four matches to reach the main tournament. White faces Martin Gould in the opening round, with a potential match against Jack Lisowski in the third round. Meanwhile, current women’s world champion Bai Yulu will face Jenson Kendrick, Rebecca Kenna will take on Alfie Burden, and Reanne Evans will play against Oliver Brown in the first round. Qualification will conclude on April 16th and 17th, with the winners sealing their places at the Crucible.
The World Championship qualification structure is comprised of four rounds. In the first round, players ranked 81-112 will face those seeded 113-144. The winners from the first round will then face players ranked 49-80 in the second round, followed by matches between the winners from round two and players ranked 17-48 in the third round. The fourth round will see the 32 winners from round three playing each other, with the 16 victors advancing to the Crucible for the main tournament.
All matches in the World Championship qualifying rounds are best-of-19 frames, with session times scheduled at 10am, 2.30pm, and 7pm for the first three rounds. Matches on Judgement Day, which take place on April 17th, will be at 11am and 5pm. Fans can watch the World Championship live on Eurosport, discovery+, the Eurosport app, and at eurosport.com. Streaming options are available for those who want to catch all the top snooker action, including the World Championship, from the comfort of their homes.
In summary, the World Championship qualifying rounds feature a mix of established snooker professionals and promising up-and-coming players. With a competitive and exciting lineup, fans can expect intense matches and surprises as players compete for a spot in the main tournament at the Crucible. Session times and streaming options allow fans to follow the action closely, ensuring they don’t miss any of the thrilling moments from the World Championship. The qualifying rounds’ unique structure and format add to the drama and excitement of the prestigious snooker event, making it a must-watch for all snooker enthusiasts.
