2020 Championship League (ranking)


The 2020 Championship League was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place from 13 September to 30 October 2020 in the Ballroom, Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England. The event featured 117 players from the World Snooker Tour as well as ten players from the 2020 Q School Order of Merit. It featured three rounds of round-robin groups of four, before a best-of-five final. It was the 15th edition of the Championship League, and it was a ranking tournament for the first time.
Ryan Day made his second career maximum break in the final frame of his match against Rod Lawler, and John Higgins made his 11th career maximum in the final frame of his match against Kyren Wilson.
Kyren Wilson won the tournament with a 3–1 final victory over Judd Trump. This was Wilson's fourth ranking title. He ended Trump's 10-final winning streak.

Tournament format

There were 127 players taking part in the event. The competition began with 32 rounds of group matches with each group consisting of four players. Two groups were played to a finish every day during two blocks of eight days, from 13 to 20 September and from 28 September to 5 October, using a two-table setup in the arena. The groups were contested using a round-robin format, with six matches played in each group. All matches in group play were played as best-of-four frames, with three points awarded for a win and one point for a draw. Group positions were determined by points scored, frame difference and then head-to-head results between players who were tied. Places that were still tied were then determined by the highest made in the group.
The 32 players that topped the group tables qualified for the group winners' stage, consisting of eight groups of four players. The eight winners from the group winners' stage qualified for the two final groups before the final took place later on the same day. The winner took the Championship League title and a place at the 2020 Champion of Champions.

Prize fund

The breakdown of prize money for the tournament is shown below.
;Stage One
  • Winner: £3,000
  • Runner-up: £2,000
  • Third place: £1,000
  • Fourth place: £0
;Stage Two
  • Winner: £4,000
  • Runner-up: £3,000
  • Third place: £2,000
  • Fourth place: £1,000
;Stage Three
  • Winner: £6,000
  • Runner-up: £4,000
  • Third place: £2,000
  • Fourth place: £1,000
;Final
  • Winner: £20,000
  • Runner-up: £10,000
  • Tournament total: £328,000

Stage One

Stage One consisted of 32 groups, each containing four players.

Order of play


DateGroup
13 September[|Group 1]
13 September[|Group 2]
14 September[|Group 3]
14 September[|Group 4]
15 September[|Group 5]
15 September[|Group 6]
16 September[|Group 7]
16 September[|Group 8]



DateGroup
17 September[|Group 10]
17 September[|Group 21]
18 September[|Group 12]
18 September[|Group 18]
19 September[|Group 13]
19 September[|Group 14]
20 September[|Group 15]
20 September[|Group 16]



DateGroup
28 September[|Group 11]
28 September[|Group 17]
29 September[|Group 9]
29 September[|Group 19]
30 September[|Group 22]
30 September[|Group 23]
1 October[|Group 25]
1 October[|Group 26]



DateGroup
2 October[|Group 27]
2 October[|Group 28]
3 October[|Group 24]
3 October[|Group 30]
4 October[|Group 20]
4 October[|Group 29]
5 October[|Group 31]
5 October[|Group 32]


Group 1

Group 1 was played on 13 September.

Matches

Judd Trump 3–1 Fan Zhengyi
  • Alan McManus 1–3 David LilleyAlan McManus 2–2 Fan ZhengyiJudd Trump 3–0 David Lilley
  • David Lilley 0–3 Fan Zhengyi
  • ''Judd Trump 2–2 Alan McManus''

Group 2

Group 2 was played on 13 September.

Matches

Ryan Day 3–1 Rod LawlerMatthew Stevens 2–2 Paul DavisonMatthew Stevens 2–2 Rod LawlerRyan Day 3–0 Paul DavisonMatthew Stevens 3–1 Ryan DayRod Lawler 3–0 Paul Davison

Group 3

Group 3 was played on 14 September.

Matches

Robert Milkins 3–0 Chen ZifanGary Wilson 3–0 Jamie JonesGary Wilson 2–2 Chen Zifan
  • Robert Milkins 0–3 Jamie Jones
  • Gary Wilson 0–3 Robert Milkins
  • Chen Zifan 1–'''3 Jamie Jones'''

Group 4

Group 4 was played on 14 September.

Matches

Barry Hawkins 3–0 Ben HancornSam Craigie 2–2 Jackson PageSam Craigie 2–2 Ben HancornBarry Hawkins 3–1 Jackson PageJackson Page 2–2 Ben Hancorn
  • Barry Hawkins 0–'''3 Sam Craigie'''

Group 5

Group 5 was played on 15 September.

Matches

  • Stephen Maguire 1–3 Leo Fernandez
  • Louis Heathcote 0–3 Dominic Dale
  • Louis Heathcote 1–3 Leo FernandezStephen Maguire 2–2 Dominic DaleDominic Dale 3–1 Leo Fernandez
  • ''Stephen Maguire 2–2 Louis Heathcote''

Group 6

Group 6 was played on 15 September.

Matches

Ricky Walden 3–1 Gerard GreeneZhou Yuelong 2–2 Zhao JianboZhou Yuelong 3–0 Gerard Greene
  • Ricky Walden 1–3 Zhao JianboZhou Yuelong 2–2 Ricky Walden
  • ''Gerard Greene 2–2 Zhao Jianbo''

Group 7

Group 7 was played on 16 September.

Matches

  • Ben Woollaston 0–3 Si JiahuiMatthew Selt 3–1 Gao YangMatthew Selt 3–1 Si JiahuiBen Woollaston 2–2 Gao YangMatthew Selt 2–2 Ben Woollaston
  • ''Si Jiahui 2–2 Gao Yang''

Group 8

Group 8 was played on 16 September.

Matches

Shaun Murphy 3–0 Peter DevlinMartin O'Donnell 3–1 Jimmy WhiteMartin O'Donnell 3–0 Peter DevlinShaun Murphy 3–0 Jimmy WhiteJimmy White 2–2 Peter DevlinShaun Murphy 3–1 Martin O'Donnell

Group 9

Group 9 was played on 29 September.

Matches

Mark Allen 2–2 Jamie WilsonLuo Honghao 3–1 Billy CastleLuo Honghao 3–0 Jamie WilsonMark Allen 3–0 Billy CastleBilly Castle 2–2 Jamie Wilson
  • ''Mark Allen 2–2 Luo Honghao''

Group 10

Group 10 was played on 17 September.

Matches

Liam Highfield 2–2 Nigel BondZhao Xintong 3–0 Oliver BrownZhao Xintong 3–1 Nigel BondLiam Highfield 2–2 Oliver Brown
  • Zhao Xintong 0–3 Liam Highfield
  • ''Nigel Bond 2–2 Oliver Brown''

Group 11

Group 11 was played on 28 September.

Matches

Alexander Ursenbacher 3–1 Riley ParsonsAnthony McGill 2–2 Lukas Kleckers
  • Anthony McGill 0–3 Riley ParsonsAlexander Ursenbacher 3–0 Lukas KleckersAlexander Ursenbacher 2–2 Anthony McGill
  • ''Riley Parsons 2–2 Lukas Kleckers''

Group 12

Group 12 was played on 18 September.

Matches

Stuart Bingham 3–0 Pang Junxu
  • Yuan Sijun 1–3 James CahillYuan Sijun 3–1 Pang JunxuStuart Bingham 3–0 James CahillJames Cahill 3–1 Pang JunxuStuart Bingham 3–0 Yuan Sijun

Group 13

Group 13 was played on 19 September.

Matches

Ian Burns 3–0 Fraser Patrick
  • Jack Lisowski 0–3 Rory McLeodJack Lisowski 3–1 Fraser PatrickIan Burns 2–2 Rory McLeodJack Lisowski 2–2 Ian Burns
  • Fraser Patrick 0–'''3 Rory McLeod'''

Group 14

Group 14 was played on 19 September.

Matches

Graeme Dott 2–2 Zak SuretyLiang Wenbo 3–1 Soheil VahediLiang Wenbo 3–0 Zak SuretyGraeme Dott 3–1 Soheil Vahedi
  • Soheil Vahedi 1–3 Zak SuretyGraeme Dott 3–1 Liang Wenbo

Group 15

Group 15 was played on 20 September.

Matches

  • Daniel Womersley 0–3 Jamie O'Neill
  • Michael Holt 0–3 Sean MaddocksMichael Holt 3–0 Jamie O'NeillDaniel Womersley 2–2 Sean Maddocks
  • Michael Holt 1–3 Daniel WomersleyJamie O'Neill 3–1 Sean Maddocks

Table

Anthony Hamilton was originally due to take part in this group, but withdrew and was replaced by Daniel Womersley.

Group 16

Group 16 was played on 20 September.

Matches

Mark Selby 3–1 Fergal O'BrienLyu Haotian 2–2 Brandon SargeantLyu Haotian 3–0 Fergal O'BrienMark Selby 3–1 Brandon SargeantBrandon Sargeant 2–2 Fergal O'Brien
  • ''Mark Selby 2–2 Lyu Haotian''

Group 17

Group 17 was played on 28 September.

Matches

  • Neil Robertson 1–3 Ken DohertyAndrew Higginson 3–1 Eden Sharav
  • Andrew Higginson 0–3 Ken DohertyNeil Robertson 2–2 Eden SharavEden Sharav 2–2 Ken DohertyNeil Robertson 3–0 Andrew Higginson

Group 18

Group 18 was played on 18 September.

Matches

Hossein Vafaei 3–1 Jak JonesXiao Guodong 3–1 Farakh AjaibXiao Guodong 2–2 Jak JonesHossein Vafaei 3–1 Farakh AjaibXiao Guodong 3–0 Hossein Vafaei
  • Jak Jones 0–'''3 Farakh Ajaib'''

Group 19

Group 19 was played on 29 September.

Matches

Sunny Akani 3–1 Peter LinesThepchaiya Un-Nooh 3–1 Lee WalkerThepchaiya Un-Nooh 2–2 Peter LinesSunny Akani 3–0 Lee WalkerThepchaiya Un-Nooh 3–1 Sunny Akani
  • ''Peter Lines 2–2 Lee Walker''

Group 20

Group 20 was played on 4 October.

Matches

  • Stuart Carrington 0–3 Jordan BrownYan Bingtao 3–0 Michael WhiteYan Bingtao 2–2 Jordan Brown
  • Stuart Carrington 0–3 Michael WhiteYan Bingtao 2–2 Stuart CarringtonJordan Brown 3–1 Michael White

Group 21

Group 21 was played on 17 September.

Matches

David Gilbert 3–1 Aaron HillLu Ning 2–2 Xu SiLu Ning 3–1 Aaron HillDavid Gilbert 2–2 Xu Si
  • Xu Si 1–3 Aaron Hill
  • ''David Gilbert 2–2 Lu Ning''

Group 22

Group 22 was played on 30 September.

Matches

Scott Donaldson 3–0 Ashley CartyChris Wakelin 3–0 Barry PinchesChris Wakelin 2–2 Ashley CartyScott Donaldson 3–1 Barry PinchesBarry Pinches 2–2 Ashley Carty
  • ''Scott Donaldson 2–2 Chris Wakelin''

Group 23

Group 23 was played on 30 September.

Matches

Mark King 2–2 David GraceJimmy Robertson 3–1 Allan Taylor
  • Jimmy Robertson 1–3 David GraceMark King 3–1 Allan Taylor
  • Jimmy Robertson 1–3 Mark King
  • David Grace 1–'''3 Allan Taylor'''

Group 24

Group 24 was played on 3 October.

Matches

Kyren Wilson 3–0 Kuldesh JohalDuane Jones 3–0 Kuldesh JohalKyren Wilson 3–0 Duane JonesKyren Wilson 3–0 Kuldesh Johal
  • Duane Jones 1–3 Kuldesh JohalKyren Wilson 3–0 Duane Jones

Table

Daniel Wells was withdrawn from the group after a positive COVID-19 test.

Group 25

Group 25 was played on 1 October.

Matches

John Higgins 3–1 Brian OchoiskiJoe O'Connor 3–0 Amine AmiriJoe O'Connor 2–2 Brian OchoiskiJohn Higgins 3–0 Amine Amiri
  • Amine Amiri 0–3 Brian Ochoiski
  • ''John Higgins 2–2 Joe O'Connor''

Group 26

Group 26 was played on 1 October.

Matches

Martin Gould 3–1 Igor FigueiredoKurt Maflin 3–1 Simon LichtenbergKurt Maflin 2–2 Igor Figueiredo
  • Martin Gould 1–3 Simon Lichtenberg
  • Kurt Maflin 1–3 Martin GouldIgor Figueiredo 3–1 Simon Lichtenberg

Group 27

Group 27 was played on 2 October.

Matches

Tom Ford 3–0 Ashley HugillLuca Brecel 3–0 Mitchell MannLuca Brecel 3–1 Ashley HugillTom Ford 2–2 Mitchell MannMitchell Mann 3–1 Ashley HugillTom Ford 3–1 Luca Brecel

Group 28

Group 28 was played on 2 October.

Matches

Mark Joyce 2–2 Jamie ClarkeJamie Clarke 3–0 Haydon PinheyMark Joyce 3–0 Haydon Pinhey
  • Mark Joyce 1–3 Jamie ClarkeJamie Clarke 3–0 Haydon PinheyMark Joyce 3–1 Haydon Pinhey

Table

Mark Williams was to take part in this group, but withdrew and was replaced by Haydon Pinhey.
Lei Peifan was withdrawn from the group after an invalid COVID-19 test.

Group 29

Group 29 was played on 4 October.

Matches

Joe Perry 3–0 Steven HallworthElliot Slessor 3–0 Kacper Filipiak
  • Elliot Slessor 1–3 Steven HallworthJoe Perry 3–0 Kacper Filipiak
  • Kacper Filipiak 0–3 Steven Hallworth
  • Joe Perry 1–'''3 Elliot Slessor'''

Group 30

Group 30 was played on 3 October.

Matches

Mark Davis 2–2 Chang BingyuAli Carter 3–1 Jamie Curtis-BarrettAli Carter 2–2 Chang BingyuMark Davis 3–0 Jamie Curtis-Barrett
  • Ali Carter 0–3 Mark DavisChang Bingyu 3–1 Jamie Curtis-Barrett

Group 31

Group 31 was played on 5 October.

Matches

Tian Pengfei 2–2 Robbie Williams
  • Noppon Saengkham 0–3 Oliver LinesNoppon Saengkham 2–2 Robbie WilliamsTian Pengfei 2–2 Oliver Lines
  • Noppon Saengkham 1–3 Tian PengfeiRobbie Williams 3–1 Oliver Lines

Group 32

Group 32 was played on 5 October.

Matches

John Astley 2–2 Iulian BoikoLi Hang 3–1 Alex BorgLi Hang 3–1 Iulian BoikoJohn Astley 3–1 Alex BorgAlex Borg 2–2 Iulian Boiko
  • John Astley 1–'''3 Li Hang'''

Table

Ronnie O'Sullivan was originally due to take part in this group, but withdrew and was replaced by John Astley.

Stage Two

Stage Two consisted of eight groups, each containing four players.

Order of play


DateGroup
26 October[|Group A]
26 October[|Group C]
27 October[|Group B]
27 October[|Group D]



DateGroup
28 October[|Group E]
28 October[|Group F]
29 October[|Group G]
29 October[|Group H]


Group A

Group A was played on 26 October.

Matches

Judd Trump 3–1 Robert MilkinsBarry Hawkins 3–0 Ryan DayBarry Hawkins 3–0 Robert MilkinsJudd Trump 2–2 Ryan DayRyan Day 3–1 Robert MilkinsJudd Trump 3–0 Barry Hawkins

Group B

Group B was played on 27 October.

Matches

  • Shaun Murphy 1–3 Dominic DaleZhou Yuelong 3–1 Matthew SeltZhou Yuelong 3–0 Dominic DaleShaun Murphy 3–1 Matthew SeltMatthew Selt 3–1 Dominic Dale
  • ''Shaun Murphy 2–2 Zhou Yuelong''

Group C

Group C was played on 26 October.

Matches

Zhao Xintong 2–2 Alexander Ursenbacher
  • Stuart Bingham 1–3 Luo HonghaoStuart Bingham 2–2 Alexander UrsenbacherZhao Xintong 3–1 Luo Honghao
  • Stuart Bingham 0–3 Zhao Xintong
  • ''Luo Honghao 2–2 Alexander Ursenbacher''

Group D

Group D was played on 27 October.

Matches

Graeme Dott 3–0 Jamie O'NeillMark Selby 3–0 Rory McLeodMark Selby 3–0 Jamie O'NeillGraeme Dott 2–2 Rory McLeodMark Selby 2–2 Graeme DottJamie O'Neill 3–1 Rory McLeod

Group E

Group E was played on 28 October.

Matches

Xiao Guodong 3–1 Jordan BrownThepchaiya Un-Nooh 2–2 Ken DohertyThepchaiya Un-Nooh 3–1 Jordan Brown
  • Xiao Guodong 1–3 Ken DohertyThepchaiya Un-Nooh 2–2 Xiao Guodong
  • ''Jordan Brown 2–2 Ken Doherty''

Group F

Group F was played on 28 October.

Matches

Kyren Wilson 3–0 Mark King
  • David Gilbert 0–3 Scott DonaldsonDavid Gilbert 3–1 Mark KingKyren Wilson 2–2 Scott Donaldson
  • Scott Donaldson 1–3 Mark KingKyren Wilson 3–0 David Gilbert

Group G

Group G was played on 29 October.

Matches

John Higgins 3–0 Jamie ClarkeTom Ford 2–2 Martin GouldTom Ford 2–2 Jamie Clarke
  • John Higgins 0–3 Martin GouldMartin Gould 2–2 Jamie ClarkeJohn Higgins 3–0 Tom Ford

Group H

Group H was played on 29 October.

Matches

Mark Davis 2–2 Li HangJoe Perry 3–1 Tian PengfeiJoe Perry 3–0 Li HangMark Davis 2–2 Tian PengfeiJoe Perry 2–2 Mark Davis
  • ''Li Hang 2–2 Tian Pengfei''

Stage Three

Stage Three consisted of two groups, each containing four players.

Group 1

Group 1 was played on 30 October.

Matches

Judd Trump 3–1 Zhao Xintong
  • Mark Selby 1–3 Zhou Yuelong
  • Mark Selby 0–3 Zhao XintongJudd Trump 3–0 Zhou YuelongZhou Yuelong 2–2 Zhao Xintong
  • Judd Trump 0–'''3 Mark Selby'''

Group 2

Group 2 was played on 30 October.

Matches

John Higgins 3–0 Joe PerryKyren Wilson 3–1 Ken DohertyKyren Wilson 3–0 Joe Perry
  • John Higgins 0–3 Ken Doherty
  • Kyren Wilson 1–3 John Higgins
  • ''Joe Perry 2–2 Ken Doherty''

Table

Key:P=Matchesplayed; W=Matcheswon; D=Matchesdrawn; L=Matcheslost; FW=Frameswon; FL=Frameslost; FD=Framedifference; HB=Highestbreak

Century breaks

A total of 90 century breaks were made during the tournament.