World Snooker Tour adds new ranking event in China for 2024/25 with Xi’an Grand Prix

A new ranking event will make its debut in the 2024/25 season, after the World Snooker Tour confirmed the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix will take place this August.

The tournament is the fifth to be confirmed for China in the next campaign, with the Shanghai Masters, Wuhan Open, International Championship and World Open all due to take place.

The competition will initially offer a total prize money pot of £850,000, though this will increase to £875,000 in 2025 and £900,000 from 2026. This year’s title winner will receive £177,000.

It will be one of the first ranking events of the new season, taking place between August 19-25.

China is a lucrative market for the sport, with players regularly featuring in big-money exhibitions. The new tournament may help offer all parties a satisfactory solution, after several big names said they faced punishment if they skipped WST events to play in Asia.

“There’s not enough here for me in the UK to justify the effort that I put in. When I go to China I play in great venues, great crowds, great prize money. And I love it.

“If that gets to the point where I’m not able to do that or I’m not allowed to do that, then I probably won’t play. I’ll probably go and play Chinese 8 ball [pool] because I still want to play snooker. I still want a cue in my hand.”

WST ranking events returned to China this season for the first time since before Covid restrictions kicked in.

“This is fantastic news for our players and fans as we continue our global development and particularly our presence in China,” said WST Chairman Steve Dawson.

“During the 2023/24 season we have been able to stage events in China for the first time since 2019 and this return has been a great success, with three world ranking events as well as one invitation tournament, and a fabulous reception from our friends and partners in the cities we have visited.

“We are thrilled and excited to announce a new event and to be heading for the first time to the fascinating location of Xi’an, with its remarkable history and culture.

“The local fans will have the chance to see their heroes play live. And for the players this is another opportunity to experience a new location, while competing and earning a high level of prize money.”