The Snooker World Grand Prix will not be shown on free-to-air TV next year leaving UK viewers aghast.
The 32-player tournament was a hit on ITV in January this year with Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Judd Trump in Leicester. But the broadcaster has decided to ditch the event after a location change. The competition will move nearly 6,000 miles to Hong Kong, which will be the first time it ha been hosted abroad. Since the tournament started a decade ago it has always been held in the UK.
The Grand Prix begins on March 4, 2025 and is will be the region's first ranking event in 35 years. The move has also provided a further financial incentive for players with the winner lined up to pocket £180,000 instead of the usual £100,000 at Hong Kong's new Kai Tak Sports Park.
ITV said in a statement: "ITV Sport has enjoyed a brilliant relationship with the Snooker World Grand Prix over the years. Due to the change in location to Hong Kong and the live broadcast timings for a UK audience, unfortunately we will not be showing the tournament next year. We hope to be able to continue our working relationship in the future."
The World Snooker Tour's plans to take the competition international are aimed at growing the sport globally. CEO Simon Brownell: “We are hugely excited to be taking such a massive event to Hong Kong. This is a move which is in line with our strategy to have a greater distribution of snooker’s biggest tournaments around the world and further globalise the sport. Hong Kong is a territory and market of particular significance for us. We are delighted to be utilising this new world class venue.”
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