World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 Makes Its Debut in Hong Kong Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan Set to Compete on Home Ground
(HONG KONG, 18 February 2025) Organised by World Snooker Tour (WST) and F-Sports Promotions Limited, and supported by the Billiard Sports Council of Hong Kong China Limited, the “World Snooker Grand Prix 2025” will be held in Hong Kong for the first time, taking place from 4 to 9 March at Kai Tak Arena, Kai Tak Sports Park. The world’s top 32 snooker players will compete for the championship and world rankings.
Tournament organisers held a pre-match press conference today, attended by World No.1 Judd Trump, at which the schedule for the tournament was announced.
The “World Snooker Grand Prix 2025” is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as an international sports event capital. The “M” Mark is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising an intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.
Judd Trump remarked, “I really do enjoy every occasion I get to compete in Hong Kong. I love everything about Hong Kong, and being able to play here for the first time as a Hong Kong resident is definitely a particularly meaningful event in my career. I can’t wait to experience the vibrant atmosphere with 5,000 fans cheering at the amazing new Kai Tak Arena.”
Ms. Feng Huanhuan, CEO, F-Sports Promotions Limited said, ” We wish to thank the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Major Sports Events Committee, and all the supporting organisations for their strong support. The new world-class Kai Tak Arena offers an outstanding venue for hosting this event and will undoubtedly provide audiences with an exceptional viewing experience. With Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan both gracing the stage in their ‘new home,’ we are proud to promote Hong Kong on the world stage. Our goal is to bring top-tier snooker events that reflect the community’s passion for the sport, while leveraging Hong Kong’s position as the premier hub for Mega Events. We are committed to advancing the development of sports within the community, supporting elite sports, enhancing sports professionalism and developing sport as a thriving industry while promoting the city as a world-renowned centre for major international sports events.”
The organizers will plan various cultural performances and experiences to allow players and fans to appreciate the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture and Hong Kong as an international event capital. The participating players will also have the opportunity to explore Hong Kong and experience the unique charm of the city as a leading sports event capital.
The World Snooker Grand Prix has been held since 2015 and is one of the premier events on the World Snooker Tour and features the top 32 players ranked for the season, making it one of the pinnacle events in professional snooker.
This year marks the first time the tournament will be hosted outside of the UK, with a record-breaking venue size and prize money on offer. 5,000 spectators will experience this premier snooker event live at the brand-new Kai Tak Arena, making it the most attended event on the World Snooker Tour to date. The total prize money has increased from £380,000 ($3,800,000) last year to £700,000($7,000,000) this year, with the champion’s prize rising from £100,000 ($1,000,000) to £180,000 ($1,800,000), both setting new historic highs.
This will be the first ranking tournament held in Hong Kong since 1989. Notably, Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan will be competing at home after becoming residents of Hong Kong. Other all-time greats include China’s top player Ding Junhui, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, John Higgins, Mark Williams and current World Champion Kyren Wilson.
On 8 and 9 March, exhibition matches will take place at 11 am. On Saturday, the men’s exhibition match will feature Hong Kong’s top player Marco Fu going up against “The Whirlwind” Jimmy White. On Sunday, the women’s exhibition match will showcase Hong Kong’s top player and World No.2 Ng On Yee competing against World No.1 Mink Nutcharut. Tickets for the exhibition matches will be distributed for free, with further details to be announced later.
The Hong Kong Billiards Sports Academy, a collaboration between F-Sports Promotions Limited and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, located at Kai Tak Mall, will officially open during the tournament.
Public tickets are available through HK Ticketing and Damai, ranging from HK$80 to HK$2,580. There is a special ‘roll-on roll-off’ format for this event, with two consecutive matches in both the afternoon and evening sessions, which means that fans buying a ticket for just one session can watch two matches.
