WST Classic added to snooker calendar to replace cancelled Turkish Masters

World Snooker has moved to replace the Turkish Masters by adding the WST Classic to the calendar in March.

There were fears of a lack of action leading up to the World Championship, but the WST Classic has been confirmed for the middle of March.

The event, at Leicester’s Morningside Arena, will see 128 players take part, with the top 64 seeded based on their ranking after the Players Championship.

A prize fund of £427,000 has been put up – with the players vying for a top prize of £80,000 in the week of March 16-22.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “We are pleased to add the new WST Classic to the calendar and to provide an extra earning opportunity for the players.

“Last week we had to cancel the Turkish Masters after several months of trying to get that event over the line, which was disappointing for us and the players. It was always our intention to replace that event and fill the space in the calendar.”

It will be a rapid-fire format, with WST confirming it “will be best of seven frames from the first round up to the quarter-finals, then best of nine for the semi-finals and best of 11 for the final.”

Discussions are taking place as to whether spectators will be allowed into the event, with WST confirming an announcement will be made in due course.

– – –