News & Updates

Matchroom Pool is excited to announce the expansion of the Nineball World Tour into the Oceania region, in partnership with Pockets Sports, Oceania’s largest professional English 8 Ball Pool Promoter. This collaboration aims to bring professional Nineball to the Oceania region, offering players from Australia, New Zealand, and other countries the opportunity to compete in local events and accumulate valuable Nineball World Ranking points. With a minimum of four ranking events planned for 2023 and the first-ever Oceania Open set to take place in 2024, this partnership opens up new possibilities for pool players in the region.

Unveiling the Nineball Oceania Tour

The Nineball Oceania Tour is set to kick off with a series of ranking events in 2023, organized and broadcasted by Pockets Sports. This collaboration with Matchroom Pool aims to provide a fair and transparent system for players in the Oceania region to earn Nineball World Ranking points, which are essential for gaining entry into prestigious tournaments in the sport. With Pockets Sports hosting over 18 weekends of competitive and professional grade 8 Ball Pool events, the addition of Nineball to their calendar marks an exciting step forward for the sport in the Oceania region.

Benefits for Players

The launch of the Nineball Oceania Tour brings numerous benefits for players in the region. Previously, players had to travel to other countries to participate in Nineball World Ranking events, which could be challenging and costly. With the collaboration between Matchroom Pool and Pockets Sports, players now have the opportunity to compete locally, accumulate ranking points, and win prize money, all while playing in a competitive and professional environment. This allows players to develop their skills and be included in the Nineball ranking system without the need for extensive travel.

Testimonials from Players

Leading players from Australia, such as Justin Sajich, have expressed their excitement about the launch of the Nineball Oceania Tour. Sajich stated, “I am excited that Matchroom Pool and Pockets Sports are collaborating to bring a world-class tournament to my home country. I haven’t played in a Matchroom event for over 12 months, and I am glad I now have one close to home.” This sentiment is echoed by many players in the region who are eager to participate in local events and compete against top-class players from around the world.

The Vision for the Future

Arthur Titus, Director of Pocket Sports, is thrilled to be moving into Nineball in partnership with Matchroom Pool, stating, “This partnership with Matchroom will see Pockets host, organise, and broadcast four Nineball World Ranking Events this year alone and an Oceania Open with the aim to host at Crown Casino Melbourne in early 2024.” The aim is to further develop the Nineball scene in the Oceania region and provide opportunities for players to excel in the sport.

Conclusion

The launch of the Nineball Oceania Tour in partnership with Pockets Sports marks an exciting development for the sport of pool in the Oceania region. With a series of ranking events planned for 2023 and the first-ever Oceania Open set to take place in 2024, this collaboration opens up new opportunities for players to compete locally, earn ranking points, and participate in prestigious tournaments. Matchroom Pool’s commitment to expanding the Nineball World Tour and providing a fair and transparent system for players worldwide is commendable, and the partnership with Pockets Sports is set to propel the sport of Nineball to new heights in Oceania.

Matchroom Pool, a leading organization in the world of cue sports, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Jayson Shaw Junior Open, set to take place during the UK Open at the Copper Box Arena in London. This exciting tournament offers 64 of the best up-and-coming junior pool players the opportunity to compete alongside the pros in the second edition of the UK Open, a prestigious event in the world of Nineball. In this blog post, we will dive into the details of the Jayson Shaw Junior Open, including the tournament format, prize fund, eligibility, and the significance of this event for junior players.

A Unique Opportunity for Junior Pool Player

The Jayson Shaw Junior Open is part of Matchroom Pool’s commitment to growing Nineball and providing opportunities for young players to showcase their talent. This tournament is the second junior open on the Matchroom calendar, following the SVB Junior Open which took place for the first time last year during the US Open in Atlantic City. With the launch of the Jayson Shaw Junior Open, junior pool players from around the world will have a chance to compete at one of London’s most historic sporting arenas and gain valuable experience in a professional setting.

Tournament Format and Prize Fund

The Jayson Shaw Junior Open will feature a free-to-enter tournament format, with 64 junior players vying for a spot in the 2024 UK Open and a share of the $10,000 prize fund. The tournament will take place on June 2-3, during the penultimate stages of the main UK Open, allowing junior players to compete alongside the pros and gain exposure to a wider audience. Juniors competing in the tournament will also receive a custom jersey provided by Onboard Sportswear as well as Kamui chalk and cue tip.

Eligibility and Exclusivity

The Jayson Shaw Junior Open is open to junior pool players who meet the eligibility criteria set by Matchroom Pool. However, juniors competing in the tournament will not be eligible to compete in the main UK Open Pool Championship due to match schedules. As part of the entry to the Jayson Shaw Junior Open, juniors will be offered a free season pass for themselves and one adult, allowing them to enjoy the entire UK Open and observe the world’s best players in action. This exclusivity adds to the significance of the Jayson Shaw Junior Open, providing a unique opportunity for junior players to showcase their skills on a grand stage.

Live Streaming and Media Coverage

The final of the Jayson Shaw Junior Open will be live-streamed on the Matchroom Pool social media pages, allowing fans and supporters from around the world to watch the action in real-time. In addition, coverage of the tournament is set to feature during the live broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and networks worldwide, providing further exposure for the junior players and highlighting the significance of the event.

Significance for Junior Pool Players

The Jayson Shaw Junior Open holds immense significance for junior pool players. It provides a platform for young players to compete alongside the pros, gain valuable experience, and showcase their skills to a wider audience. The opportunity to play in a prestigious event like the UK Open in London can be a game-changer for young players, propelling them towards a successful career in the world of Nineball. It also underscores Matchroom Pool’s commitment to nurturing and promoting young talent, and the organization’s efforts to grow the sport of Nineball at the grassroots level.

READ ALSO: Francisco Sanchez Ruiz Makes History as World Pool Championship Winner 2023

Conclusion

The Jayson Shaw Junior Open at the UK Open in London is a groundbreaking event that offers a unique opportunity for junior pool players to compete alongside the pros, gain exposure on a global stage, and potentially kickstart their careers in the world of Nineball. With its free-to-enter format, custom jerseys, Kamui chalk and cue tip, and live streaming and media coverage, this tournament is set to be an exciting and significant event for junior players. Matchroom Pool’s commitment to nurturing young talent and growing the sport at the grassroots level is evident in the launch of the Jayson Shaw Junior Open, and it promises to be an unforgettable experience for all participants. Keep an eye out for the action-packed tournament in June 2023, as the next generation of pool stars takes center stage at the UK Open in London.

Premier League Pool is back with a bang and promises to be an exciting tournament for pool fans across the globe. The event will run from March 6-13 at the Morningside Arena in Leicester, UK, and will feature a field of 16 wild card players competing for a $100,000 prize fund. The tournament guarantees each player at least $2,500, adding to the excitement of the event.

Premier League Pool Lineup

The tournament features a star-studded lineup of players from at least 12 nations, adding to the diversity of the field. Newly crowned world champion and Nineball World No.1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz will lead the field, along with defending champion Albin Ouschan of Austria and current Nineball World No. 2 Shane Van Boening.

The field also features veteran USA legend Earl Strickland, who will return to the UK for the first time since being ruled out of the 2021 Mosconi Cup. This marks his first appearance in an invitational Matchroom event since the 2018 World Pool Masters.

Fans can also look forward to seeing some of the sport’s most exciting names, such as Alex Pagulayan, SVB Junior Open champion Khalid Alghamdi, two-time Mosconi Cup MVP Jayson Shaw, World Pool Championship semi-finalist Wu Kun Lin, Poland’s World Top 20 Konrad Juszczyszyn, and South Korea’s female star Seo Seoa.

Premier League Pool Format

The tournament will feature an exhilarating league format where all 16 players face each other once across the first five days of play. After day five, the League Table eliminates the bottom six, and the remaining ten players compete against each other again on days six and seven before eliminating four more players.

The remaining six players play each other once more on day eight before the top four players contend the playoffs. All group matches race to 5, alternate break, and a win will give a player a point on the league table. If there is a tie between players, the system will determine the table based on Rack Difference, followed by Racks Won, and then Head-to-Head record.

Where to Watch

Fans can watch the tournament on two tables live globally. Table 1 will be available on broadcasters worldwide, including DAZN in the USA and Spain, Viaplay in the UK, Scandinavia, Baltics, Netherlands, and Poland, and SportKlub in the Balkan region, as well as on Matchroom.Live. Meanwhile, Table 2 will be available to fans through Matchroom.Live worldwide and the Matchroom Pool YouTube channel.

Conclusion

The return of Premier League Pool promises to be an exciting tournament for pool fans across the globe. This tournament promises to be a thrilling event with a star-studded field of players from at least 12 nations and a $100,000 prize fund. Fans can tune in and witness some of the world’s best players battle it out in the exhilarating league format that Premier League Pool is known for.