Iaphet Elli Snooker’s BetVictor Welsh Open world ranking event will be staged in Cardiff this season for the first time since 2004.
The tournament has been staged in
Newport in recent years but now moves to the Motorpoint Arena in the
Welsh capital and will run from February 16th to 22nd, 2015.
The BBC Wales-televised event will be contested by 128 players, all starting in the same round, with a top prize of £60,000.
This year’s final saw Ronnie
O’Sullivan thrash Ding Junhui 9-3, making an incredible 147 maximum
break in the last frame. Other winners in recent years include Stephen
Maguire, Ding, John Higgins, Ali Carter, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson.
World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn
said: “The BetVictor Welsh Open has grown dramatically in recent years
with increased prize money, growing live attendances and a new
structure. While we are grateful to the people of Newport for their
support, it is time to move the event down the M4 to the capital city to
allow it to continue to build momentum.
“The Motorpoint Arena is a top class
venue and a fitting stage for the world’s very best snooker players.
This is a tournament with such a rich history, ever present on our
calendar as a world ranking event for over 20 years. I have no doubt
that the people of South Wales will be out in force to make the 2015
Welsh Open a truly spectacular week of snooker.”
Two-time World Champion Mark
Williams, from Cwm, added: “It’s fantastic news for snooker fans in
Cardiff. I remember when the Welsh Open was first held in Cardiff in
1999 and I beat Stephen Hendry 9-8 in the final, it remains one of my
best moments.
“I always enjoyed playing Newport
but hopefully Cardiff will be even better. The Motorpoint Arena is an
excellent venue and I’m sure it will be packed out.”
Tickets on sale now at the Box Office 
029 20 22 44 88
