Snooker's second largest ranking event gets underway on Saturday, as 32 of the world's best players travel to York to compete for the prestigious title.
Watch and bet on live UK Championship Snooker at Bet365 > Live streaming > Snooker
The £625,000 televised event kicks off on Saturday morning and marks the return to its former venue - The York Barbican, following a five-year absence.
The world's top 16 ranked players are joined by 16 players who came through the recent qualifying event.
Defending champion John Higgins opens up the tournament against the methodical cueist Rory McLeod, in a repeat of their meeting at the Crucible this year, which Higgins won en route to picking up the world title.
All eyes will be on Stephen Hendry on Saturday evening, as he faces fellow Scot Stephen Maguire; Hendry had to make sure of his place by winning a qualifying match for the first time in over 20 years.
The pick of the first round ties sees Ronnie O'Sullivan take on six time world champion Steve Davis on Sunday. The duo are two of the game's greats and are likely to provide a highly entertaining match.
O'Sullivan is the 6/1 tournament favourite with title sponsors William Hill and is in fine form having recently picked up his 10th Premier League title.
Judd Trump is among the likely title contenders; he faces Dominic Dale in his opener, while world number one Mark Selby faces Ryan Day in another tasty meeting.
Ding Junhui, Marco Fu and Li Yan represent a strong Asian contingent, while the likes of Joe Jogia and Tom Ford will make their debuts in the event.
Last 16 matches commence on Friday December 6 and could pair together Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump, should both win their openers.
The tournament culminates in the final on Sunday December 11, which will be played over two sessions.
The UK Championship gets underway at 11am on Saturday, which selected matches being streamed live.
2011 UK Championship Match Schedule
Saturday 3 Dec
1100 GMT:
John Higgins (Sco) v Rory McLeod (Eng)
Ding Junhui (Chn) v Mark Davis (Eng)
1400 GMT:
Neil Robertson (Aus) v Tom Ford (Eng)
Graeme Dott (Sco) v Matthew Selt (Eng)
1900 GMT:
Stephen Maguire (Sco) v Stephen Hendry (Sco)
Matthew Stevens (Wal) v Marcus Campbell (Sco)
Sunday 4 Dec
1100 GMT:
Mark Selby (Eng) v Ryan Day (Wal)
Stuart Bingham (Eng) v Marco Fu (HK)
1400 GMT:
Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) v Steve Davis (Eng)
Ali Carter (Eng) v Robert Milkins (Eng)
1900 GMT:
Shaun Murphy (Eng) v Li Yan (Chn)
Martin Gould (Eng) v Peter Lines (Eng)
Monday 5 Dec
1230 GMT:
Judd Trump (Eng) v Dominic Dale (Wal)
Mark Allen (NI) v Adrian Gunnell (Eng)
1900 GMT:
Mark Williams (Wal) v Joe Jogia (Eng)
Stephen Lee (Eng) v Ricky Walden (Eng)
SECOND ROUND (best of 11 frames)
Tuesday 6 Dec
1230 GMT:
Ronnie O'Sullivan/Steve Davis v Judd Trump/Dominic Dale
Ding Junhui/Mark Davis v Matthew Stevens/Marcus Campbell
1900 GMT:
John Higgins/Rory McLeod v Stephen Maguire/Stephen Hendry
Graeme Dott/Matthew Selt v Neil Robertson/Tom Ford
Wednesday 7 Dec
1230 GMT:
Mark Williams/Joe Jogia v Stephen Lee/Ricky Walden
Martin Gould/Peter Lines v Shaun Murphy/Li Yan
1900 GMT:
Stuart Bingham/Marco Fu v Mark Selby/Ryan Day
Ali Carter/Robert Milkins v Mark Allen/Adrian Gunnell
First round matches are the best of 11 frames
Prize Fund
Winner: £100,000
Runner-up: £46,000
Semi-finals: £23,250
Quarter-finals: £16,450
Last 16: £12,050
Last 32: £8,750
Last 48: £5,500
Last 64: £2,300
High Break (TV): £5,000
High break (non-TV): £500
Total: £625,000
