The stage is set in York for the 2025 UK Championship, a tournament steeped in history and brimming with anticipation. The grueling qualifying rounds in Wigan are nearing completion, whittling down the hopefuls to a final 32 who will battle for supremacy at the Barbican.
Defending champion Judd Trump, known as “The Ace,” will kick off the tournament on Saturday afternoon. His opening match promises fireworks against the formidable Stephen Maguire, a former champion himself, setting an immediate high bar for competition.
All eyes will be on Ronnie O’Sullivan as he begins his quest for a ninth UK Championship title on Tuesday. He faces a challenging opening round against Zhou Yuelong, a player capable of upsetting even the greatest.
Kyren Wilson, fresh off his World Championship victory last year, enters the tournament with a target on his back. He’ll be tested immediately by Elliot Slessor, the highest-ranked player to emerge from the qualifying gauntlet.
Saturday’s opening session also features a clash between John Higgins and Ben Woollaston, and a compelling matchup between Shaun Murphy, currently enjoying a stellar season, and Lyu Haotian.
Sunday’s play will see Wu Yize take on Michael Holt, and Neil Robertson face either He Guoqiang or Julien Leclercq. Mark Williams will battle Dave Gilbert, while Xiao Guodong squares off against either Pang Junxu or Noppon Saengkham.
Monday brings Ding Junhui into the fray against either Tom Ford or Xu Si, and Zhao Xintong will compete against Long Zehuang or Louis Heathcote. Mark Allen and Gary Wilson will also begin their campaigns, facing Scott Donaldson and Zhang Anda/Thepchaiya Un-Nooh respectively.
Tuesday’s evening session is particularly intriguing, with Mark Selby, a pre-tournament favorite according to legends Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty, facing either Lei Peifan or Jimmy Robertson. This places him in the same session as O’Sullivan, reigniting a classic rivalry.
Barry Hawkins will also begin his campaign on Tuesday, taking on either David Lilley or Artemijs Zizins. The final qualifying matches conclude Thursday evening, solidifying the complete lineup for the main event.
The tournament promises a captivating blend of established stars and rising talents, all vying for the prestigious UK Championship trophy and the glory that comes with it. The Barbican in York is poised to witness a thrilling chapter in snooker history.
