2021 Championship League (ranking)


The 2021 Championship League was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place from 18 July to 13 August 2021 at the Morningside Arena in Leicester, England. The event featured 128 players and was played as three rounds of round-robin groups of four, before a best-of-five final. It was the 17th edition of the Championship League and the first ranking tournament of the 2021–22 snooker season. It was one of two Championship League events held over the season, with a following invitational event held as the 2022 Championship League (invitational).
Kyren Wilson was the defending champion, having defeated Judd Trump 3–1 in the final of the September to October 2020 edition of the tournament. Wilson's title defence ended in Stage Three, where he finished third in his group. David Gilbert won the tournament, defeating Mark Allen 3–1 to win his first ranking title. Allen made the highest of the event, a 146.

Format

The 2021 Championship League was hosted from 18 July to 13 August 2021 at the Morningside Arena in Leicester, England.
128 players took 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 three blocks, from 18 to 23 July, from 26 to 30 July and from 2 to 6 August, 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, with the final taking place later on the same day. The winner took the Championship League title and a place at the 2021 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

Summary

The first stage was held over 32 groups with 128 participants between 18 July and 6 August. Peter Lines won [|Group 8] over Mark Williams after winning their match 3–0, despite losing to Jak Jones. Noppon Saengkham won all three of his matches, including over four-time world champion John Higgins to win [|Group 9]. This was Saengkham's first professional match since being forced to withdraw from the 2021 World Snooker Championship due to a positive case of COVID-19. World number 115, Ashley Hugill won [|Group 24], with wins over John Astley and Stephen Maguire. Former UK Championship winner Maguire finished bottom of the group. Defending champion Wilson lost just two frames as he won [|Group 16].
The second stage was held over 8 groups with 32 participants between 9 and 12 August. Tom Ford won [|Group A], after he completed a whitewash over world number one Judd Trump. Ali Carter won [|Group E] over two former world snooker champions Shaun Murphy and Graeme Dott, winning all three of his Group matches 3–1. Ronnie O'Sullivan, who had won [|Group 32], withdrew from the event, and was replaced by second placed Mark Joyce. Joyce, however, finished bottom of [|Group H], won by David Gilbert.
The final two groups and the final were played on 13 August. Allen won the first of the stage three groups, completing 3–0 victories over Ford and Wilson, as well as a 3–1 win over Bai Langning. During his win over Wilson, Allen made three century breaks of 127, 124 and 146, where Wilson scored just two points. Despite a loss in the opening match to Cao Yupeng, Gilbert won the second Group after victories over Carter and Ryan Day. The final had Allen win the opening frame with a break of 102, before Gilbert won the remaining three frames with breaks of 59 and 57. This was the first ranking event win of Gilberts 22-year career, having appeared in four previous finals. Gilbert commented after the match that he was "only used to loser's speeches".

Stage One

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

Order of play


DateGroup
18 July[|Group 7]
18 JulyGroup 8
19 July[|Group 19]
19 July[|Group 23]
20 July[|Group 6]
20 JulyGroup 32
21 July[|Group 2]
21 July[|Group 28]



DateGroup
22 July[|Group 3]
22 July[|Group 10]
23 July[|Group 12]
23 July[|Group 31]
26 July[|Group 13]
26 July[|Group 14]
27 JulyGroup 9
27 July[|Group 26]



DateGroup
28 July[|Group 18]
28 July[|Group 29]
29 JulyGroup 16
29 July[|Group 20]
30 July[|Group 21]
30 July[|Group 22]
2 August[|Group 4]
2 AugustGroup 24



DateGroup
3 August[|Group 25]
3 August[|Group 27]
4 August[|Group 15]
4 August[|Group 17]
5 August[|Group 11]
5 August[|Group 30]
6 August[|Group 1]
6 August[|Group 5]


Group 1

Group 1 was played on 6 August.

Matches

Judd Trump 3–1 Rod LawlerAnthony Hamilton 3–1 Lee WalkerAnthony Hamilton 2–2 Rod LawlerJudd Trump 3–1 Lee WalkerLee Walker 3–1 Rod LawlerJudd Trump 3–1 Anthony Hamilton

Group 2

Group 2 was played on 21 July.

Matches

Stuart Carrington 3–0 Duane JonesJordan Brown 3–0 Michael JudgeJordan Brown 2–2 Duane JonesStuart Carrington 3–1 Michael JudgeJordan Brown 2–2 Stuart Carrington
  • ''Duane Jones 2–2 Michael Judge''

Group 3

Group 3 was played on 22 July.

Matches

Tom Ford 2–2 Simon BlackwellSimon Lichtenberg 2–2 Reanne EvansSimon Lichtenberg 3–0 Simon BlackwellTom Ford 2–2 Reanne Evans
  • Reanne Evans 1–3 Simon BlackwellTom Ford 3–1 Simon Lichtenberg

Group 4

Group 4 was played on 2 August.

Matches

Joe Perry 3–0 Jimmy WhiteJimmy Robertson 3–0 Sean MaddocksJimmy Robertson 2–2 Jimmy WhiteJoe Perry 3–0 Sean Maddocks
  • Sean Maddocks 0–3 Jimmy White
  • Joe Perry 1–'''3 Jimmy Robertson'''

Group 5

Group 5 was played on 6 August.

Matches

  • Chris Wakelin 0–3 Mitchell MannMark Allen 3–0 Daniel WomersleyMark Allen 2–2 Mitchell MannChris Wakelin 2–2 Daniel WomersleyMark Allen 3–0 Chris Wakelin
  • ''Mitchell Mann 2–2 Daniel Womersley''

Group 6

Group 6 was played on 20 July.

Matches

Andrew Higginson 2–2 Fergal O'BrienMichael Holt 2–2 Mark LloydMichael Holt 2–2 Fergal O'BrienAndrew Higginson 3–0 Mark LloydMichael Holt 3–0 Andrew HigginsonFergal O'Brien 3–0 Mark Lloyd

Group 7

Group 7 was played on 18 July.

Matches

Nigel Bond 2–2 Allan TaylorRicky Walden 3–1 Oliver BrownRicky Walden 3–0 Allan TaylorNigel Bond 2–2 Oliver BrownRicky Walden 3–0 Nigel BondAllan Taylor 3–1 Oliver Brown

Group 8

Group 8 was played on 18 July.

Matches

Mark Williams 3–0 Hammad MiahJak Jones 3–1 Peter LinesJak Jones 2–2 Hammad Miah
  • Mark Williams 0–3 Peter LinesPeter Lines 3–1 Hammad MiahMark Williams 3–1 Jak Jones

Group 9

Group 9 was played on 27 July.

Matches

John Higgins 3–0 Soheil VahediNoppon Saengkham 3–1 Igor FigueiredoNoppon Saengkham 3–1 Soheil VahediJohn Higgins 3–0 Igor FigueiredoIgor Figueiredo 2–2 Soheil Vahedi
  • John Higgins 1–'''3 Noppon Saengkham'''

Group 10

Group 10 was played on 22 July.

Matches

David Grace 3–0 Farakh Ajaib
  • Ben Fortey 0–3 Bai LangningBen Fortey 2–2 Farakh Ajaib
  • David Grace 0–3 Bai Langning
  • Ben Fortey 1–3 David Grace
  • ''Farakh Ajaib 2–2 Bai Langning''

Table

Lu Ning was originally due to take part in this group, but withdrew and was replaced by Ben Fortey.

Group 11

Group 11 was played on 5 August.

Matches

Joe O'Connor 2–2 Andy HicksZhao Xintong 2–2 David LilleyZhao Xintong 3–1 Andy Hicks
  • Joe O'Connor 0–3 David Lilley
  • Zhao Xintong 1–3 Joe O'Connor
  • Andy Hicks 1–'''3 David Lilley'''

Group 12

Group 12 was played on 23 July.

Matches

  • Anthony McGill 1–3 Billy CastleMark Davis 2–2 Yuan SijunMark Davis 3–0 Billy Castle
  • Anthony McGill 0–3 Yuan SijunYuan Sijun 3–1 Billy Castle
  • Anthony McGill 0–'''3 Mark Davis'''

Group 13

Group 13 was played on 26 July.

Matches

Oliver Lines 2–2 Peter DevlinJoshua Thomond 3–0 Luke Pinches
  • Joshua Thomond 0–3 Peter DevlinOliver Lines 3–0 Luke Pinches
  • Joshua Thomond 0–3 Oliver LinesPeter Devlin 3–0 Luke Pinches

Table

Zhou Yuelong was originally due to take part in this group, but withdrew and was replaced by Joshua Thomond.

Group 14

Group 14 was played on 26 July.

Matches

Martin Gould 2–2 Ryan DaviesKen Doherty 3–1 Rory McLeodKen Doherty 3–0 Ryan DaviesMartin Gould 2–2 Rory McLeodRory McLeod 3–1 Ryan Davies
  • ''Martin Gould 2–2 Ken Doherty''

Group 15

Group 15 was played on 4 August.

Matches

Mark King 3–1 Andrew PagettMatthew Stevens 3–1 Ross Muir
  • Matthew Stevens 1–3 Andrew PagettMark King 2–2 Ross MuirMatthew Stevens 3–1 Mark King
  • Andrew Pagett 1–'''3 Ross Muir'''

Group 16

Group 16 was played on 29 July.

Matches

Kyren Wilson 3–1 Dylan EmerySam Craigie 3–0 Ben HancornSam Craigie 3–0 Dylan EmeryKyren Wilson 3–1 Ben HancornBen Hancorn 2–2 Dylan EmeryKyren Wilson 3–0 Sam Craigie

Group 17

Group 17 was played on 4 August.

Matches

Shaun Murphy 3–0 Michael CollumbJamie Jones 3–1 Chen ZifanJamie Jones 2–2 Michael CollumbShaun Murphy 3–1 Chen ZifanChen Zifan 2–2 Michael Collumb
  • ''Shaun Murphy 2–2 Jamie Jones''

Group 18

Group 18 was played on 28 July.

Matches

Zhao Jianbo 2–2 Gerard Greene
  • Robert Milkins 1–3 Haydon Pinhey
  • Robert Milkins 0–3 Gerard GreeneZhao Jianbo 3–0 Haydon PinheyRobert Milkins 2–2 Zhao JianboGerard Greene 3–1 Haydon Pinhey

Group 19

Group 19 was played on 19 July.

Matches

Ali Carter 3–1 Michael GeorgiouDominic Dale 2–2 Sydney WilsonDominic Dale 2–2 Michael GeorgiouAli Carter 3–0 Sydney Wilson
  • Sydney Wilson 1–3 Michael Georgiou
  • ''Ali Carter 2–2 Dominic Dale''

Table

Alfie Burden was originally due to take part in this group, but withdrew and was replaced by Sydney Wilson.

Group 20

Group 20 was played on 29 July.

Matches

Robbie Williams 3–0 Iulian BoikoGraeme Dott 3–1 Si JiahuiGraeme Dott 3–1 Iulian Boiko
  • Robbie Williams 0–3 Si JiahuiGraeme Dott 2–2 Robbie Williams
  • ''Iulian Boiko 2–2 Si Jiahui''

Group 21

Group 21 was played on 30 July.

Matches

Stuart Bingham 2–2 Michael White
  • Elliot Slessor 0–3 Gao Yang
  • Elliot Slessor 1–3 Michael WhiteStuart Bingham 3–0 Gao Yang
  • Gao Yang 1–3 Michael WhiteStuart Bingham 3–1 Elliot Slessor

Group 22

Group 22 was played on 30 July.

Matches

  • Hossein Vafaei 1–3 Jackson PageRyan Day 3–1 Barry PinchesRyan Day 3–0 Jackson PageHossein Vafaei 2–2 Barry PinchesRyan Day 2–2 Hossein Vafaei
  • ''Jackson Page 2–2 Barry Pinches''

Group 23

Group 23 was played on 19 July.

Matches

Alexander Ursenbacher 3–0 Aaron Hill
  • Scott Donaldson 1–3 Leo Fernandez
  • Scott Donaldson 1–3 Aaron HillAlexander Ursenbacher 3–0 Leo Fernandez
  • Scott Donaldson 0–3 Alexander Ursenbacher
  • Aaron Hill 0–'''3 Leo Fernandez'''

Group 24

Group 24 was played on 2 August.

Matches

Sunny Akani 2–2 Ashley HugillStephen Maguire 2–2 John Astley
  • Stephen Maguire 1–3 Ashley HugillSunny Akani 2–2 John Astley
  • Stephen Maguire 0–3 Sunny AkaniAshley Hugill 3–0 John Astley

Group 25

Group 25 was played on 3 August.

Matches

Yan Bingtao 3–0 Robbie McGuiganJamie Clarke 2–2 Louis HeathcoteJamie Clarke 3–0 Robbie McGuiganYan Bingtao 3–1 Louis HeathcoteLouis Heathcote 3–0 Robbie McGuiganYan Bingtao 3–1 Jamie Clarke

Group 26

Group 26 was played on 27 July.

Matches

  • Steven Hallworth 0–3 Cao YupengGary Wilson 2–2 James Cahill
  • Gary Wilson 0–3 Cao YupengSteven Hallworth 3–1 James CahillGary Wilson 2–2 Steven HallworthCao Yupeng 3–1 James Cahill

Group 27

Group 27 was played on 3 August.

Matches

Ashley Carty 3–1 Lukas KleckersMatthew Selt 2–2 Fraser PatrickMatthew Selt 2–2 Lukas KleckersAshley Carty 2–2 Fraser PatrickMatthew Selt 3–1 Ashley CartyLukas Kleckers 3–1 Fraser Patrick

Group 28

Group 28 was played on 21 July.

Matches

Barry Hawkins 3–0 Kuldesh JohalBen Woollaston 2–2 Zak SuretyBen Woollaston 3–0 Kuldesh JohalBarry Hawkins 3–0 Zak SuretyZak Surety 2–2 Kuldesh Johal
  • ''Barry Hawkins 2–2 Ben Woollaston''

Group 29

Group 29 was played on 28 July.

Matches

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 3–1 Zhang Jiankang
  • Martin O'Donnell 0–3 Craig Steadman
  • Martin O'Donnell 1–3 Zhang JiankangThepchaiya Un-Nooh 2–2 Craig SteadmanCraig Steadman 2–2 Zhang Jiankang
  • ''Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 2–2 Martin O'Donnell''

Group 30

Group 30 was played on 5 August.

Matches

David Gilbert 3–1 Sanderson LamLiam Highfield 3–0 Jamie WilsonLiam Highfield 3–1 Sanderson LamDavid Gilbert 3–0 Jamie WilsonJamie Wilson 2–2 Sanderson LamDavid Gilbert 3–0 Liam Highfield

Group 31

Group 31 was played on 23 July.

Matches

Pang Junxu 2–2 Chang BingyuLuca Brecel 3–1 Dean Young
  • Luca Brecel 1–3 Chang BingyuPang Junxu 2–2 Dean Young
  • Luca Brecel 0–3 Pang JunxuChang Bingyu 3–0 Dean Young

Group 32

Group 32 was played on 20 July.

Matches

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3–1 Ian BurnsMark Joyce 3–1 Saqib NasirMark Joyce 2–2 Ian BurnsRonnie O'Sullivan 3–0 Saqib Nasir
  • Saqib Nasir 0–3 Ian Burns
  • ''Ronnie O'Sullivan 2–2 Mark Joyce''

Table

Ng On-yee was originally due to take part in this group, but withdrew and was replaced by Saqib Nasir.

Stage Two

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

Order of play


DateGroup
9 August[|Group G]
9 AugustGroup H
10 AugustGroup E
10 August[|Group F]



DateGroup
11 August[|Group C]
11 August[|Group D]
12 AugustGroup A
12 August[|Group B]


Group A

Group A was played on 12 August.

Matches

Judd Trump 2–2 Jimmy Robertson
  • Tom Ford 0–3 Stuart CarringtonTom Ford 3–0 Jimmy RobertsonJudd Trump 3–0 Stuart Carrington
  • Stuart Carrington 1–3 Jimmy Robertson
  • Judd Trump 0–'''3 Tom Ford'''

Group B

Group B was played on 12 August.

Matches

Ricky Walden 3–1 Peter LinesMark Allen 3–0 Fergal O'BrienMark Allen 3–1 Peter LinesRicky Walden 3–0 Fergal O'BrienMark Allen 3–0 Ricky Walden
  • ''Peter Lines 2–2 Fergal O'Brien''

Group C

Group C was played on 11 August.

Matches

  • Mark Davis 1–3 David LilleyNoppon Saengkham 2–2 Bai LangningNoppon Saengkham 3–1 David Lilley
  • Mark Davis 0–3 Bai Langning
  • Noppon Saengkham 0–3 Mark Davis
  • ''David Lilley 2–2 Bai Langning''

Group D

Group D was played on 11 August.

Matches

Kyren Wilson 3–1 Ken DohertyMatthew Stevens 2–2 Oliver Lines
  • Matthew Stevens 0–3 Ken DohertyKyren Wilson 3–1 Oliver LinesOliver Lines 3–0 Ken Doherty
  • Kyren Wilson 0–'''3 Matthew Stevens'''

Group E

Group E was played on 10 August.

Matches

Shaun Murphy 3–1 Gerard Greene
  • Graeme Dott 1–3 Ali CarterGraeme Dott 3–1 Gerard Greene
  • Shaun Murphy 1–3 Ali CarterAli Carter 3–1 Gerard GreeneShaun Murphy 3–0 Graeme Dott

Group F

Group F was played on 10 August.

Matches

Ryan Day 2–2 Alexander UrsenbacherStuart Bingham 3–1 Ashley HugillStuart Bingham 3–0 Alexander UrsenbacherRyan Day 3–1 Ashley Hugill
  • Stuart Bingham 0–3 Ryan Day
  • ''Alexander Ursenbacher 2–2 Ashley Hugill''

Group G

Group G was played on 9 August.

Matches

Barry Hawkins 2–2 Matthew SeltYan Bingtao 2–2 Cao YupengYan Bingtao 2–2 Matthew Selt
  • Barry Hawkins 1–3 Cao YupengYan Bingtao 3–1 Barry Hawkins
  • Matthew Selt 0–'''3 Cao Yupeng'''

Group H

Group H was played on 9 August.

Matches

  • Mark Joyce 1–3 Craig SteadmanDavid Gilbert 3–0 Chang BingyuDavid Gilbert 3–0 Craig SteadmanMark Joyce 2–2 Chang BingyuChang Bingyu 3–1 Craig Steadman
  • Mark Joyce 0–'''3 David Gilbert'''

Table

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

Stage Three

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

Group 1

Group 1 was played on 13 August.

Matches

Kyren Wilson 2–2 Bai LangningMark Allen 3–0 Tom FordMark Allen 3–1 Bai LangningKyren Wilson 2–2 Tom FordTom Ford 3–1 Bai Langning
  • Kyren Wilson 0–'''3 Mark Allen'''

Group 2

Group 2 was played on 13 August.

Matches

Ali Carter 2–2 Ryan Day
  • David Gilbert 1–3 Cao YupengDavid Gilbert 3–0 Ryan DayAli Carter 3–1 Cao YupengDavid Gilbert 3–1 Ali CarterRyan Day 3–1 Cao Yupeng

Final

The final was played on 13 August as the best of five frames.

Century breaks

There was a total of 74 century breaks made during the tournament. The highest break was made by Mark Allen, who made a 146 in his stage three match against Kyren Wilson.