Championship League Snooker is a brand new snooker event devised exclusively for internet broadcast and which will be shown on Bet365. A total of 25 players will compete over 16 days of play starting on Monday 25th February and taking place in four day blocks with the final match of the competition taking place on Thursday 15th May.  

With a total prize-fund of £179,200 on offer as well as a coveted spot in Matchroom Sport’s 2008 Premier League Snooker, there is everything to play for. All matches will take place in the historic Baronial Hall at Crondon Park Golf Club, in Stock, Essex.

Seven players initially start proceedings in Group One as they play each other once over four frames. The top four move into that group’s play-offs, while the bottom two players are eliminated from the competition.

Following best-of-seven semi-finals and then the final, the successful player will then return for the final ‘Winners’ Group’ where there is big money at stake as well as a spot in the Premier League.

Following the conclusion of the first group, the four players who remain, reconvene in Group 2, to be joined by three new players to make up the seven. This format then continues through to Group 7, which once complete, will provide seven players to contest the final group.

All players will be invited from the snooker world rankings although players already selected for the Premier League will not be involved.

Players win £100 per frame won in each group match which increases to £200 in the play-offs and there will be additional prize money for the play-offs and the final league.

Group 1 – February 25 & 26

To be selected from:

Shaun Murphy (Rotherham)
Ken Doherty (Dublin)
Neil Robertson (Melbourne)                        
Mark Williams (Cardiff)                                    
Mark Selby (Leicester)                                        
Ryan Day (Mid-Glamorgan)                                
Allister Carter (Tiptree)    
Barry Hawkins (Dartford)                               
Matthew Stevens (Carmarthen)                                
Joe Perry (Chatteris)                                            

All players appear subject to contract.

2008 Championship League Snooker – the Schedule

Group 1 - February 25 & 26 (Monday, Tuesday)

Group 2 - February 27 & 28 (Wednesday, Thursday)

Group 3 - March 10 & 11 (Monday, Tuesday)

Group 4 – March 12 & 13 (Wednesday, Thursday)

Group 5 - April 14 & 15 (Monday, Tuesday)

Group 6 – April 16 & 17 (Wednesday, Thursday)

Group 7 - May 12 & 13 (Monday, Tuesday)

Group 8 (Winners Group) May 14 & 15 (Wednesday, Thursday)

2008 Championship League Snooker - Playing Format

Each group is played over two days with each of the seven competitors playing each other once over the best of four frames. There are a total of 21 matches per group with two points for a win and a point each for a 2-2 draw.

At the conclusion of the round robin stage of each group, the top four players will advance to a play-off conclusion with both the semi-finals and the final being the best of seven frames.

The winner will then advance to the final Winners’ Group taking place in May while the bottom two players drop out of the competition.

The other four players stay in the tournament to compete in the next group along with three new players.

The schedule of each group sees two tables in operation from 2pm – 10pm with six matches per table, making a total of 12 matches on the first day.

The second day of play sees the remaining nine matches take place plus the three play-off games to give a further 12 matches.

Championship League Snooker will produce a total of 192 matches over the entire tournament.
                       

2008 Championship League Snooker – the Prize Fund
           
Group Matches - 21 games x 4 frames x £100 per frame won x 7 groups:
£58,800

Group Play-Offs – 3 games x 7 frames x £200 per frame won x 7 groups:
£29,400
                   
Group Play-Offs – Losing semis (x 2) £1,000 x 7 groups
£14,000

Runner-up £2,000 x 7 groups
£14,000
    
Winner £3,000 X 7 groups
£21,000

Final Group - 21 matches x 4 frames x £200   
£16,800

Play-Offs - Best of 7 frame matches @ £200 per frame won x 3 matches   
£4,200
                   
Play-Offs -     Losing semi-finalists (x 2) - £3,000
£6,000

Runner-up – £5,000
£5,000

Winner – £10,000
£10,000
                   
Total Prize Fund
£179,200

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