Final Day Showdown at Championship League Snooker
The Championship League Snooker has reached its final day after more than three weeks of competition, with the first ranking event winner of the season set to be crowned on Wednesday. The tournament, which began on June 22, has seen 128 players reduced to just eight over 24 days.
The second stage concluded on Tuesday, leaving two groups of four to be played on Wednesday, followed by a final between the two group winners on the same evening. The champion will claim the £33,000 top prize and secure the ideal start to the season with the first title of the campaign.
First-Time Ranking Winner Possible
There is a significant chance that a first-time ranking titlist could emerge on Wednesday, as four of the eight remaining players are still searching for their first piece of silverware. Elliot Slessor and Noppon Saengkham are in Group One, both aiming for their maiden ranking title, while Dylan Emery and Jak Jones in Group Two are also hunting their first victories.
Lei Peifan, former champion Dave Gilbert, Zhang Anda, and Hossein Vafaei complete the field, each with just one ranking title to their names. According to the tournament organizers, the competition remains wide open.
Stage Three Schedule
Group One matches begin at 11am with Elliot Slessor vs. Noppon Saengkham, followed by Lei Peifan vs. David Gilbert, and Lei Peifan vs. Noppon Saengkham. From 4.30pm, the group continues with Elliot Slessor vs. David Gilbert, David Gilbert vs. Noppon Saengkham, and Elliot Slessor vs. Lei Peifan.
Group Two also starts at 11am with Zhang Anda vs. Dylan Emery, Hossein Vafaei vs. Jak Jones, and Hossein Vafaei vs. Dylan Emery. The afternoon session from 4.30pm features Zhang Anda vs. Jak Jones, Jak Jones vs. Dylan Emery, and Zhang Anda vs. Hossein Vafaei.
Top Players Absent
Most of the biggest names in snooker chose not to enter the Championship League this summer, but four members of the world's top 16 did participate: Zhao Xintong, Kyren Wilson, Chris Wakelin, and Si Jiahui. However, none remain, meaning the highest-ranked player left is world number 19 Elliot Slessor. Kyren Wilson was forced to withdraw after his house was burgled while he played his opening group, according to reports.
Standout Performances
None of the final eight won all three matches in their Stage Two groups, so no one is in dominant form heading into Wednesday. However, Vafaei, Zhang, Slessor, and Emery are all yet to lose across the two group stages so far. Both Zhang and Slessor, along with Jak Jones, have compiled four centuries each, the highest tally in the tournament.
How to Watch and Prize Money
In the UK, Table One is shown on the Matchroom Pool YouTube channel, while Table Two is available on Matchroom Multi Sport's YouTube channel. All eight remaining players have already secured £7,000 for topping their first two groups. In Stage Three, the two group winners will add £6,000 to that total, with runners-up receiving £4,000, third place £2,000, and fourth £1,000. The finalist picks up £20,000, bringing their tournament total to £33,000, while the runner-up receives £10,000 for a total of £23,000.
Previous Winners
The Championship League Snooker (ranking event) has seen previous winners including Kyren Wilson (2020), Dave Gilbert (2021), Luca Brecel (2022), Shaun Murphy (2023), Ali Carter (2024), and Stephen Maguire (2025).
