The British Open snooker tournament is set to return to the Centaur Arena at Cheltenham Racecourse for the fourth successive year, running from 31 August to 6 September. Defending champion Shaun Murphy will open the tournament against Reanne Evans, the 12-time women’s world champion, in what promises to be a thrilling start to the competition.
Murphy, who claimed the title last year by defeating Anthony McGill in the final, aims to retain his crown. The event will feature numerous notable names from the sport. Former world champion Mark Williams will face David Gilbert in the opening day’s afternoon session, with the winner proceeding to play either Murphy or Evans.
Additional fixtures include Chinese players Ding Junhui and Xiao Guodong taking on Ukrainian Anton Kazakov and fellow countryman Jiang Jun respectively. Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will enter the arena against Poland’s Mateusz Baranowski, while the current Crucible champion Wu Yize battles compatriot Liu Hongyu.
READ MORE: Police Hunt Suspect Following Afternoon Threat in Gloucester Alleyway
Further matches on the opening day include former world champion Kyren Wilson versus Austria’s Florian Nuessle, and Barry Hawkins taking on China’s Deng Haohui.
The evening session brings two former Crucible champions, Judd Trump and Zhao Xintong, matched against Dylan Emery and Oliver Brown respectively. Mark Allen faces Wang Xinbo, and Chris Wakelin competes against Belgium’s ex-world champion Luca Brecel.
Three more ex-world champions will appear as John Higgins meets Iran’s Hossein Vafaei, Neil Robertson plays Pang Junxu, and Mark Selby faces David Lilley. The schedule concludes with Chinese star Si Jiahui taking on Ashley Carty.
Local favourite Jack Lisowski, originally from Churchdown and currently world number 17, will also compete, facing Mitchell Mann in the opening round.
The British Open, one of snooker’s most historic tournaments since its inception in 1985, will see the Centaur Arena transformed once again into a top-tier snooker venue. Competitors will fight for the prestigious £100,000 first prize over the week-long tournament.
Tickets are now available, with adult prices starting from £18 and a special rate for under-16s at just £8.