One of snooker’s most historic tournaments is bound for Llandudno

Last year’s Welsh Open champion Joe Perry

The Welsh Open, one of snooker’s most historic tournaments, will be staged in Llandudno for the first time in 2023.

The prestigious event will run from February 13 to 19 next year at the fantastic Venue Cymru.

The venue has hosted many successful snooker events in recent years, including the 2022 Tour Championship.

Tickets will go on sale on Monday June 27th with a SPECIAL OPENING OFFER of 20% off tickets for the first four days of the event from February 13 to 16. For details visit http://www.wst.tv/tickets

The Welsh Open has been ever present on the snooker calendar since 1992 – the sport’s longest running ranking event other than the World Championship and UK Championship.

It has an international television audience of hundreds of millions, with live coverage from broadcasters including Eurosport, Quest, BBC Wales and CCTV 5 in China.

A total field of over 70 players in Llandudno will include the top 16 seeds. All other tour players will go through a qualifying round, to be staged in advance.

The Welsh Open is the last in the season’s Home Nations Series, following the Northern Ireland Open, Scottish Open and English Open.

Many of snooker’s great names have lifted the trophy, including Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Ding Junhui and home favourite Mark Williams.

Joe Perry added his name to that list last season when he beat Judd Trump in the final in Newport.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “We are delighted to bring the Welsh Open to Llandudno for the first time. This event has been traditionally staged in South Wales but we know that snooker has a huge supporter base in the North so this is tremendous news for fans in the area.

“Venue Cymru has proved a superb setting for our tournaments and Llandudno is one of the most beautiful locations we visit on our global circuit.

“Everyone connected with the event will look forward to the trip to Llandudno in February and I’m sure the local fans will get behind this tournament and make sure it stays in North Wales.”

Jim Jones, CEO North Wales Tourism, added: “The move to the Queen of Welsh Resorts, Llandudno, and to be played at such a great place as Venue Cymru is fantastic news.

“There is such a fan base here in North Wales for snooker and being so close to the North West and the Midlands should entice many spectators. We wish the team at WST the very best with the transition, and we have every confidence it will be a huge success.”