The wait is over for snooker fans as the UK Championship, one of the sport's most revered tournaments, gets underway. This event forms part of snooker's prestigious Triple Crown, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the World Championship and the Masters.
A Rich History of Snooker Excellence
First held in Blackpool in 1977 as a non-ranking event, the championship has grown in stature ever since. The inaugural champion was Irishman Patsy Fagan, who defeated Doug Mountjoy in the final. The tournament found a long-term home at the Guild Hall in Preston before moving to Bournemouth in 1998 and then to York in 2001. After a brief stint in Telford, it returned to the York Barbican in 2011, where 32 of the world's best players will now compete.
Legends of the UK Championship
The roll call of winners is a veritable who's who of snooker greatness. Ronnie O'Sullivan holds the record with an incredible eight UK titles, becoming the tournament's oldest winner when he claimed his eighth victory in 2023. He is followed by the iconic Steve Davis with six wins and the Scottish legend Stephen Hendry with five. Other multiple winners include Ding Junhui, Neil Robertson, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Mark Selby, and the defending champion, Judd Trump, who has won it twice.
One of the most chaotic victories belongs to John Virgo in 1979. The Big Break legend and BBC commentator won 14-13 against Terry Griffiths despite being docked two frames for arriving 30 minutes late for the final session, which had been rescheduled for television. Remarkably, the final frames were not broadcast due to a BBC staff strike.
The 2025 Tournament and How to Follow
The UK Championship remains one of the most lucrative events on the tour, boasting a total prize fund of just over £1.2 million. The champion will pocket a cool £250,000, with the runner-up receiving £100,000.
To prepare for the action, a special edition publication is available. It features interviews with leading contenders like world number one Judd Trump, profiles the top 16 players, and includes analysis from legends on the tournament's significance. It also examines why the sport of snooker is at a crossroads.
Available from November 19, 2025, you can purchase the special edition in supermarkets, high street retailers, and independent newsagents. You can also order your copy online today, though postage and packaging are excluded.
