High Stakes, Big Names: Players Championship Draw Throws Up Mouth-Watering Clashes
The stage is set for a blockbuster Players Championship as the elite of the snooker world head to Telford for one of the most exclusive events on the calendar. With only the top 16 players from the One Year Rankings earning a place, the draw has produced a series of mouth-watering first-round clashes.
World No. 1 Judd Trump begins his campaign against Zhou Yuelong, aiming to assert his dominance in a tournament that consistently delivers high drama. Meanwhile, four-time world champion John Higgins has been handed a tough assignment against top seed Neil Robertson. Higgins sneaks into the field as the 16th qualifier after Ronnie O’Sullivan chose not to take part.
Fresh from his World Grand Prix triumph, reigning world champion Zhao Xintong arrives in red-hot form and will face tournament debutant Elliot Slessor. Zhao’s recent surge is all the more remarkable given that he was outside the top 16 on the One Year Rankings before his Hong Kong success, a victory that ultimately secured his place in Telford.
Elsewhere, defending 2023 champion Shaun Murphy takes on Zhang Anda, while current UK champion Mark Selby faces the ever-dangerous Jack Lisowski. There are also intriguing encounters between Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins, Chris Wakelin and Xiao Guodong, and Wu Yize against Mark Allen.
Notably absent from this year’s event is reigning champion Kyren Wilson, who has slipped to 22nd on the One Year Rankings and therefore cannot defend his title. Other big names to miss out include Ding Junhui, Gary Wilson, Stephen Maguire, Si Jiahui and Ali Carter.
Running from February 17–22 at the Telford International Centre, the Players Championship boasts a £500,000 prize fund, with £150,000 going to the winner and a guaranteed £15,000 for every competitor. With form players, proven champions and high stakes, the tournament promises five days of top-class snooker.
Full Players Championship draw
- Neil Robertson (1) v John Higgins (16)
- Chris Wakelin (8) v Xiao Guodong (9)
- Judd Trump (5) v Zhou Yuelong (12)
- Mark Williams (4) v Barry Hawkins (13)
- Shaun Murphy (3) v Zhang Anda (14)
- Zhao Xintong (6) v Elliot Slessor (11)
- Wu Yize (7) v Mark Allen (10)
- Mark Selby (2) v Jack Lisowski (15)
