UK Championship 2024

UK Championship 2024

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Wikipedia - 2024 UK Championship

The 2024 UK Championship (officially the 2024 Victorian Plumbing UK Championship) was a professional snooker tournament that took place from 23 November to 1 December 2024 at the York Barbican in York, England. The 48th edition of the UK Championship, it was the ninth ranking event of the 2024‍–‍25 season and the first of the season's three Triple Crown events, preceding the 2025 Masters and the 2025 World Snooker Championship. Organised by the World Snooker Tour and sponsored by Victorian Plumbing, the event was broadcast by the BBC domestically, by Discovery+ and Eurosport in Europe, and by other broadcasters worldwide. The winner received £250,000 from a total prize fund of £1,205,000.

The top 16 players in the snooker world rankings were seeded through to the main stage of the competition. An additional 128 players competed in a four‑round qualifying tournament from 16 to 21 November at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, with higher ranked players given byes to the later qualification rounds. The reigning World Women's Snooker Champion Bai Yulu won her first three qualifying matches, the first female player to win three matches at a professional ranking tournament; she lost to Jack Lisowski in the last qualifying round. The 16 successful qualifiers advanced to the main stage in York, where they were drawn at random against the 16 seeded players.

The defending champion was Ronnie O'Sullivan, who had defeated Ding Junhui 10‍–‍7 in the final of the 2023 event; he lost 4‍–‍6 to qualifier Barry Hawkins in the first round. Judd Trump won the tournament, defeating Hawkins 10‍–‍8 in the final to secure his second UK Championship title, having previously won the 2011 event. This was Trump's 30th ranking title and his fifth Triple Crown title. The tournament produced a total of 128 century breaks, 83 made in qualifying matches and 45 during the main stage. The highest was a maximum break compiled by Zhang Anda in his first‑round match against Lei Peifan.

The UK Championship 2024 is one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated events in the world of professional snooker. Held annually in the United Kingdom, this tournament attracts the top-ranked players from around the globe, competing for a significant prize fund and the coveted title. Known for its rich history and competitive spirit, the UK Championship features a knockout format, showcasing high-quality matches and thrilling moments. Fans can expect intense battles, exceptional skill, and strategic gameplay as players vie for victory in this iconic event. The 2024 edition promises to deliver unforgettable snooker action, further cementing its status as a cornerstone of the professional snooker calendar.