Snooker Champion of Champions – 2024 Dates Draw and Guide
The Champion of Champions stands as one of professional snooker’s most prestigious invitational tournaments, bringing together elite players who have claimed major titles during the preceding season. Unlike traditional ranking events, this competition restricts entry to reigning champions and recent major winners, creating a concentrated field of the sport’s most successful competitors.
The 2024 Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions convened from November 11 to 17 at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton, England. Sixteen players divided into four competitive groups contested the championship, with Mark Allen entering as the defending champion following his 2023 victory. The tournament culminated in a best-of-19 frame final on Sunday, November 17.
Organized by the World Snooker Tour and Matchroom Multi Sport, the invitational carries no world ranking points, yet commands significant respect within the professional circuit. The unique qualification criteria ensure that every participant enters having already secured silverware, raising the competitive intensity from the opening frame.
What is the Snooker Champion of Champions?
Invitational Non-Ranking
Mark Allen (2023)
Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton
£440,000
- Exclusive Field: The tournament features only players who have won qualifying events during the current or previous season.
- Defending Title: Mark Allen entered the 2024 edition as defending champion following his 2023 victory.
- Record Chase: Ronnie O’Sullivan pursued a record-breaking fifth title in Bolton.
- No Qualifying: The competition eliminates preliminary rounds entirely, with all 16 players receiving direct invitations.
- Sponsorship: Grosvenor Casinos served as the title sponsor for the 2024 championship.
- Prize Pool: The total prize fund reached £440,000, though specific distribution details remained undisclosed in available records.
- Format: Matches progressed from round-robin groups to direct elimination semi-finals and final.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Edition | 2024 Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions |
| Dates | 11–17 November 2024 |
| Location | Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton, England |
| Organizers | World Snooker Tour (WST) / Matchroom Multi Sport |
| Defending Champion | Mark Allen |
| Field Size | 16 players (4 groups of 4) |
| Format | Group stage followed by knockout |
| Final Format | Best of 19 frames (17 November) |
| Prize Fund | £440,000 |
| Broadcast (UK) | ITV |
| Next Edition | Mattioli Arena, Leicester (10–16 November 2025) |
Who Won the Most Recent Champion of Champions and Past Winners?
Mark Allen held the title entering the 2024 event, having claimed the championship in 2023. The Northern Irish player joined an illustrious list of winners that includes some of the sport’s most decorated competitors.
Mark Allen’s 2023 Victory
Mark Allen entered the 2024 tournament as the reigning champion, defending the title he secured in the previous year’s competition. His victory in 2023 established him as the player to beat in the invitational format.
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Record Pursuit
Ronnie O’Sullivan arrived in Bolton seeking his fifth Champion of Champions title, which would extend his record as the event’s most successful player. The four-time winner faced Xiao Guodong in his Group 4 opener on Thursday, November 14.
Ronnie O’Sullivan entered the 2024 tournament as the most successful player in the event’s history with four titles. Neil Robertson remains the only other player to have won the championship multiple times, having secured two victories.
Other Notable Champions
Neil Robertson, a two-time winner of the event, competed in Group 2 against Ali Carter. Shaun Murphy, another former champion, faced Mark Selby in Group 4. These previous winners highlight the tournament’s tendency to reward established elite performers.
2024 Snooker Champion of Champions: Dates, Venue and Draw
The 2024 edition relocated to the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton, departing from previous venues. The schedule spanned seven days, with group stage matches running from Monday through Thursday before the weekend knockout phases.
Tournament Schedule
Group stage matches took place from November 11-14, with semi-finals scheduled for November 15-16. The championship final occurred on November 17 over two sessions. This structure allowed each group to compete on a dedicated day, with Monday hosting Group 1, Tuesday Group 3, Wednesday Group 2, and Thursday Group 4.
Bolton Venue
The Toughsheet Community Stadium provided the setting for the 2024 championship. Ticket prices started at £15 per session, with VIP packages available from £110 including front-row seating and hospitality meals. The venue change from previous locations marked a new chapter for the tournament’s physical presence.
The Draw and Groups
The 16-player field divided into four competitive groups:
- Group 1 (Monday, November 11): Mark Allen vs. Igor Figueiredo (World Seniors Champion); Gary Wilson vs. Jak Jones (World Championship runner-up).
- Group 2 (Wednesday, November 13): Judd Trump (World No. 1) vs. the International Championship winner or Ding Junhui; Ali Carter (Championship League winner) vs. Neil Robertson (two-time Champion of Champions winner).
- Group 3 (Tuesday, November 12): Kyren Wilson (reigning World Champion) vs. Luca Brecel (2023 World Champion); Mark Williams (Tour Championship winner) vs. Bai Yulu (Women’s World Champion).
- Group 4 (Thursday, November 14): Ronnie O’Sullivan vs. Xiao Guodong (Wuhan Open champion); Mark Selby (British Open winner) vs. Shaun Murphy (former Champion of Champions winner).
Qualifiers, Format and Prize Money
Invitation-Only Field
The tournament operates without qualifying rounds. The World Snooker Tour extends direct invitations to 16 players based on their victories in designated tournaments during the qualifying period. This selection method ensures only reigning champions and major title holders compete.
Players qualify by winning specific tournaments including the World Championship, ranking events, and specialty championships such as the World Seniors and Women’s World Championship. Window Cleaner Near Me – Costs, Tips and Reliable Pros remains unrelated to the sporting criteria.
Competition Structure
The format comprises four groups of four players, with round-robin or knockout matches within each group to determine winners. Group winners advanced to semi-finals on November 15-16. The championship final required 19 frames to decide the winner, played across two sessions on November 17.
According to tournament records, the event featured 15 total matches comprising 121 frames, with 13,134 points scored across the championship. Exact frame counts for individual matches and century break statistics remained unspecified in available documentation.
Prize Fund
The total prize fund for the 2024 championship reached £440,000. Specific breakdowns for the winner, runner-up, semi-finalists, and group stage participants were not detailed in available sources. The substantial purse reflects the tournament’s standing within the professional circuit despite its non-ranking status.
How to Watch the Snooker Champion of Champions
Domestic viewers in the United Kingdom accessed live coverage of the tournament on ITV, with broadcasts beginning at 12:45 pm UK time. International audiences viewed the event through various networks including Rigour in China and other worldwide distributors.
Tickets for the 2024 edition at the Toughsheet Community Stadium started at £15 per session. VIP packages, priced from £110, offered front-row seating, meals, and enhanced hospitality services for spectators seeking premium matchday experiences.
What is the Tournament Timeline?
- : Group 1 matches commence featuring defending champion Mark Allen against Igor Figueiredo, and Gary Wilson against Jak Jones. Source
- : Group 3 competition with World Champion Kyren Wilson facing Luca Brecel, and Mark Williams playing Bai Yulu. Source
- : Group 2 play including World No. 1 Judd Trump and two-time winner Neil Robertson. Source
- : Group 4 matches headlined by Ronnie O’Sullivan against Xiao Guodong, and Mark Selby against Shaun Murphy. Source
- : Semi-finals determining the two finalists. Source
- : Final contested over best of 19 frames. Source
- : Next edition scheduled for Mattioli Arena, Leicester. Source
What is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain?
Established Information
- Tournament dates: 11-17 November 2024
- Venue: Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton
- Complete group stage draw and pairings
- Total prize fund: £440,000
- Broadcast rights: ITV (UK), Rigour (China)
- Defending champion: Mark Allen
- Format: 16 players, 4 groups, best-of-19 final
Information Not Verified
- Specific match results and frame scores
- Number of century breaks made
- Identity of the 2024 tournament winner
- Detailed prize money distribution by placing
- Exact frame counts for group stage matches
- Final attendance figures
Why Does the Champion of Champions Matter?
The tournament occupies a unique position in the snooker calendar. As an invitational event organized by the World Snooker Tour and Matchroom Multi Sport, it gathers current titleholders without the preliminary qualifying stages that characterize ranking events. This concentration of elite talent creates a knockout environment where every match features established champions.
The event’s timing in November positions it as a significant autumn highlight, providing a platform for reigning World Champion Kyren Wilson and other recent winners to compete outside the pressure of ranking points. Houses for Sale Barnsley – Prices, Best Areas and Buyer Guide offers unrelated property information for those seeking residential options elsewhere.
Unlike the 2024 World Snooker Championship, which Cazoo sponsored at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, the Champion of Champions maintains distinct sponsorship and venues, reinforcing its separate identity within the professional circuit.
What Do Official Sources Indicate?
The World Snooker Tour officially sanctioned the event, with tickets going on sale in April 2024 according to WST announcements. Tournament statistics including the 15 matches and 121 frames played were recorded by CueTracker, providing official data verification for the 2024 edition.
The official tournament website confirmed the Grosvenor Casinos sponsorship and Bolton venue, while historical context regarding past winners and future scheduling at the Mattioli Arena was verified through snooker.org records.
What Are the Key Takeaways?
The 2024 Champion of Champions brought together 16 elite snooker champions at Bolton’s Toughsheet Community Stadium from November 11-17, featuring a £440,000 prize fund and ITV broadcast coverage. Mark Allen defended his 2023 title against a field including Ronnie O’Sullivan, who pursued a record fifth championship, with the tournament maintaining its unique position as snooker’s premier invitation-only event. Houses for Sale Barnsley – Prices, Best Areas and Buyer Guide provides additional reading for property interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the Champion of Champions?
The tournament bears this name because it exclusively invites players who have won major championships or ranking tournaments, creating a field composed entirely of title holders and reigning champions from the professional circuit.
Is the Champion of Champions snooker televised?
Yes, the tournament receives live television coverage. ITV broadcast the 2024 edition in the United Kingdom from 12:45 pm, while international viewers accessed coverage through Rigour in China and various worldwide networks.
Who was the defending champion in 2024?
Mark Allen entered the 2024 tournament as the defending champion, having won the title in 2023. He competed in Group 1 against World Seniors Champion Igor Figueiredo.
Where will the 2025 Champion of Champions be held?
The 2025 edition is scheduled for the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, running from November 10-16, 2025, moving from Bolton’s Toughsheet Community Stadium where the 2024 event took place.
Do players need to qualify for the Champion of Champions?
No qualifying rounds exist for this tournament. The World Snooker Tour extends direct invitations to 16 players based on their victories in designated tournaments, making it an entirely invitational event.
How many times has Ronnie O’Sullivan won the event?
Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the Champion of Champions four times, making him the most successful player in the tournament’s history as he entered the 2024 edition seeking a record-extending fifth title.
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