2024 World Pool Masters: Ko Pin Yi Begins Title Defense Against David Alcaide
As the prestigious World Pool Masters tournament marks its 30th anniversary, the stage is set for an exhilarating competition featuring the game’s top talents. Defending champion Ko Pin Yi is poised to face David Alcaide in an epic opening match. The event is scheduled to run from April 25-28, 2024, at Halle39 in Hildesheim, Germany, and promises to captivate pool enthusiasts worldwide.
Event Details and Venue
The tournament, a fixture in the pool calendar, will be held in partnership with local organizer Moltke Sports and will be broadcast live by Sky Sports. Enthusiasts can catch the action live or stream it globally through various partners, ensuring fans worldwide won’t miss a beat.
Tickets and Pricing
Tickets are now available, providing fans with the opportunity to witness the thrill live from €15 a day. Purchase tickets here to secure your spot at one of the year’s most anticipated pool tournaments.
Format and Prize Pool
This year, the World Pool Masters retains its challenging format from the previous year, featuring 16 top players vying for a share of the $125,000 prize pool. The matches will start with a Race to 9 in the opening rounds, escalating to a Race to 13 in the finals, utilizing the Matchroom break box, magic racking, and winner breaks rules to heighten the competition.
Competitors and Match-Ups
With the top 14 players from the World Nineball Tour Rankings automatically invited post the FSR91 Open, plus two wildcard entries, the competition is fierce. Highlights include:
- Francisco Sanchez Ruiz vs. James Aranas: A rematch of last year’s gripping opening round.
- Shane Van Boening vs. Duong Quoc Hoang: Van Boening seeks redemption against last year’s champion.
- Joshua Filler vs. Eklent Kaçi: A reunion of last year’s UK Open finalists.
Other notable matches feature Albin Ouschan against Max Lechner in an all-Austrian clash and rising stars like Fedor Gorst and Mario He facing off in what promises to be a strategic battle.
Global Broadcast Partners
The World Pool Masters will be aired across several networks ensuring global coverage:
- Europe: Sky Sports (UK and Ireland), DAZN (Spain, Italy), Viaplay (Scandinavia, Baltics, Netherlands, Poland)
- Americas: DAZN (USA, Brazil)
- Asia-Pacific: Foxtel (Australia), Sportscast (Indonesia, Chinese Taipei)
- Africa: SuperSport
Conclusion
As the 2024 World Pool Masters kicks off, all eyes will be on the defending champion and his challengers. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the sport, this tournament offers something for everyone, combining skill, strategy, and suspense in the heart of Germany.