Major snooker event returns to nation after 35 YEARS in brand-new state-of-the-art arena with whopping £700k prize pot

HONG Kong is preparing to host its first ranking snooker event in 35 years.

The World Grand Prix is heading on tour to the new state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park.

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The competition will take place in the city-state from March 4-9 next year.

Since its inception in 2015, the World Grand Prix has been staged in the UK.

With space for over 4,000 spectators, the Sports Park will play host to snooker’s biggest-ever live audience for a ranking tournament.

Set to open in early 2025, the long-delayed stadium is on the site of the former Kai Tak airport.

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Set over 28 hectares, the Main Stadium has a capacity of 50,000 and features a flexible pitch system designed to switch between turf and other surfaces.

Only the most successful 32 players of the season will earn a place in next year's Grand Prix, which is the opening event in the prestigious Players Series.

Prize money for the event has skyrocketed since last year, from £380,000 to a total purse of £700,000.

And the winner in Hong Kong will walk away with a cool £180,000.

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WST CEO Simon Brownell said: "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, and we are delighted to be utilising this new world-class venue.

"Having a long-term ranking event in such a prominent global city is fantastic news for the tour."

The only previous ranking event in the city was way back in 1989, when Mike Hallett defeated Dene O’Kane 9-8 in the final of the Hong Kong Open.

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Two years ago, an invitational Hong Kong Masters saw Ronnie O’Sullivan defeat Marco Fu 6-4 in the final.

The match was played in front of a world record 9,000 fans at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Brownell continued: "We were impressed by the levels of support at the Hong Kong Masters in 2022.

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"The 9,000 fans in attendance for the final created a magical atmosphere.

"We would like to thank F Sports Promotions for bringing us back to Hong Kong and we look forward to working again with the Billiard Sports Council of Hong Kong China in this prestigious event."