‘Massive tournament’ – International Championship announces new host city as Judd Trump defends snooker title in China

The International Championship in China is set to return to the World Snooker Tour calendar this season with a new host city announced on Wednesday for the blue-chip tournament.

After Chengdu and Daqing hosted the event between 2012 and 2019, it has been announced that Tianjin City will stage the competition between 5-12 November.

Masters holder Judd Trump won the previous edition of the coveted event in 2019 and collected a £175,000 winner’s cheque with a 10-3 final win over Shaun Murphy before the global pandemic struck.

Trump also became International champion in the inaugural tournament with a 10-8 win over Neil Robertson in 2012.

Four-time world champion Mark Selby is the only other player to win the event twice in 2016 and 2017 with Ding Junhui, John Higgins, Ricky Walden and Mark Allen all former winners.

With the Shanghai Masters being held in September and the Wuhan Open staged in October, this is set to be third tournament of the season in China.

“We are delighted to see this massive tournament back on the calendar and it is very exciting to be taking an event to the beautiful city of Tianjin,” said WST chairman Steve Dawson.

“It is hugely significant for the sport to be returning to China and the International Championship has always been one of the most significant fixtures in the World Snooker Tour season.

“I know fans in Tianjin will be treated to some world class snooker. I’d like to thank the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association and CCTVSE for their partnership in staging this tournament.”