As the snooker circus leaves the Newport Centre this weekend, inevitably the players will all have one eye on the World Championship but let’s not forget that there are still some important events to take place before then. Click below for a summary of what is to come between now and May…
China Open Qualifiers – 2-5 February 2010
Right on the back of the Welsh Open comes the qualifying tournament for the season’s penultimate ranking event tournament the China Open. The action begins at 10am on Tuesday morning from Prestatyn and you can view the draw here.
Championship League Groups Five/Six – 8-11 February 2010
The following week sees the Championship League resume with Groups Five and Six of the competition. Note that Mark Allen is unavailable to play in the fifth group so his place will be taken by Ricky Walden. Allen will however return for Group Six.
Pro Challenge Series Event Five – 16-18 February 2010
Also returning is the Pro Challenge Series which now hits the George Scott Snooker Club in Liverpool after the previous event was scrapped for whatever reason. Hopefully more details on this will emerge closer to the time.
World Championship Qualifiers – February 26-9 March 2010
The big one, the event that will in all likelihood decide whether many of the tour players will be back again next season, as well as decide who will be competing at the home of snooker at the final stages of the tournament in April. Very much looking forward to this one…
PIOS Event Six – 28 February-4 March 2010
Speaking of deciding tour places, the PIOS resumes with its first event of the new year at the end of the month as the battle for those all important ranking points enters its final stages.
World Series (Saudi Arabia) – 6-7 March 2010
Inactive since its Prague leg, the World Series of Snooker also takes its 2010 bow and heads east to Saudi Arabia in early March. The top players involved will be John Higgins, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson.
Pro Challenge Series Event Six – 16-17 March 2010
March sees the penultimate leg of the Pro Challenge Series take place and while we do not have a venue yet, it has been confirmed that this event will be played under the Super Sixes format.
Championship League Group Seven & Winners Group – 22-25 March 2010
Who will succeed Judd Trump as the Championship League winner and secure a Premier League place in the process? Find out on the 25th March as the event comes to a conclusion.
China Open – March 29-4 April 2010
Often forgotten to a degree ahead of the World Championship, the China Open nevertheless is a crucial event and with just six ranking tournaments this season assumes even greater importance as the rankings battle nears its end…
Pro Challenge Series Event Seven – 8-9 April 2010
The final Pro Challenge event takes place just before the World Championship and will no doubt see some of the players hoping to gain some all-important match practice ahead of the big one. Again though this will be a Super Six event.
PIOS Event Seven – 12-16 April 2010
The penultimate event of the PIOS season takes place ahead of the World Championship with the leading players looking to put themselves in a position to be in Sheffield next April instead of Prestatyn…
World Championship – April 17-3 May 2010
Enough said.
PIOS Event Eight – 4-8 May 2010
The PIOS comes to a conclusion immediately after the first world champion of the decade is crowned…