2023 Championship League (ranking)


The 2023 Championship League was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place from 26 June to 21 July 2023 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 fourth edition of the ranking version of the Championship League, and the first ranking tournament of the 202324 season.
Luca Brecel was the reigning champion, having defeated Lu Ning 31 in the final of the previous ranking edition of the tournament. However, he opted not to enter the draw for the tournament and consequently was not defending the title. Other notable players choosing not to enter the draw were Mark Selby, Jack Lisowski, John Higgins, Mark Allen and Ding Junhui. Six players who were due to enter the tournament, withdrew and were replaced including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu.
Shaun Murphy won the tournament, defeating Mark Williams 30 in the final to claim his twelfth ranking title.

Tournament format

The 2023 Championship League took place from 26 June to 21 July 2023 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 four blocks 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 2023 Champion of Champions.
There were 20 players not currently on the professional tour who were entered into the draw as follows:

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
26 JuneGroup 03
26 June[|Group 30]
27 June[|Group 11]
27 June[|Group 21]
28 June[|Group 10]
28 June[|Group 22]
29 JuneGroup 05
29 June[|Group 29]



DateGroup
30 JuneGroup 06
30 June[|Group 27]
3 July[|Group 16]
3 July[|Group 32]
4 July[|Group 15]
4 July[|Group 28]
5 July[|Group 17]
5 July[|Group 26]



DateGroup
6 JulyGroup 07
6 July[|Group 24]
7 JulyGroup 08
7 July[|Group 23]
8 July[|Group 20]
8 July[|Group 25]
10 JulyGroup 01
10 July[|Group 19]



DateGroup
11 JulyGroup 02
11 July[|Group 18]
12 JulyGroup 04
12 July[|Group 12]
13 July[|Group 13]
13 July[|Group 31]
14 JulyGroup 09
14 July[|Group 14]


[|Group 1]

Group 1 was played on 10 July. Michael Holt won the group and advanced to Stage 2, [|Group A].

Matches

  • Scott Donaldson 1–3 Michael Holt
  • Rod Lawler 0–3 Alfie Burden
  • Scott Donaldson 1–3 Alfie BurdenRod Lawler 3–1 Michael Holt
  • Alfie Burden 0–3 Michael Holt
  • ''Scott Donaldson 2–2 Rod Lawler''

[|Group 2]

Group 2 was played on 11 July. Judd Trump won the group and advanced to Stage 2, [|Group B].

Matches

Judd Trump 3–0 Reanne EvansXu Si 3–0 Jimmy WhiteJudd Trump 3–0 Jimmy WhiteXu Si 2–2 Reanne Evans
  • Jimmy White 1–3 Reanne Evans
  • ''Judd Trump 2–2 Xu Si''

Group 3

Group 3 was played on 26 June. Ashley Carty won the group and advanced to Stage 2, [|Group C].

Matches

Craig Steadman 2–2 Ashley CartySean McAllister 3–1 Adam DuffyCraig Steadman 2–2 Adam DuffySean McAllister 2–2 Ashley Carty
  • Adam Duffy 0–3 Ashley Carty
  • ''Craig Steadman 2–2 Sean McAllister''

Group 4

Group 4 was played on 12 July. Shaun Murphy won the group and advanced to Stage 2, [|Group D].

Matches

Shaun Murphy 3–0 Andrew PagettTian Pengfei 3–1 Lukas KleckersShaun Murphy 3–1 Lukas KleckersTian Pengfei 3–1 Andrew PagettLukas Kleckers 3–0 Andrew PagettShaun Murphy 3–1 Tian Pengfei

Group 5

Group 5 was played on 29 June. Kyren Wilson won the group and advanced to Stage 2, [|Group E].

Matches

Kyren Wilson 3–0 Josh Mulholland
  • Andy Hicks 1–3 Louis HeathcoteKyren Wilson 3–0 Louis HeathcoteAndy Hicks 3–1 Josh Mulholland
  • Josh Mulholland 0–3 Louis HeathcoteKyren Wilson 3–1 Andy Hicks

Group 6

Group 6 was played on 30 June. Mark Williams won the group and advanced to Stage 2, [|Group F].

Matches

Mark Williams 3–0 Daniel HoloydaDylan Emery 3–0 Ken DohertyMark Williams 3–1 Ken DohertyDylan Emery 3–1 Daniel HoloydaKen Doherty 3–0 Daniel HoloydaMark Williams 3–0 Dylan Emery

Group 7

Group 7 was played on 6 July. Long Zehuang won the group and advanced to Stage 2, [|Group G].

Matches

Ali Carter 2–2 Ryan DaviesJackson Page 2–2 Long Zehuang
  • Ali Carter 1–3 Long ZehuangJackson Page 3–1 Ryan DaviesLong Zehuang 3–0 Ryan Davies
  • ''Ali Carter 2–2 Jackson Page''

Group 8

Group 8 was played on 7 July. Robert Milkins won the group and advanced to Stage 2, [|Group H].

Matches

Robert Milkins 3–0 Alex TaubmanDominic Dale 3–1 Muhammad AsifRobert Milkins 2–2 Muhammad AsifDominic Dale 3–1 Alex TaubmanMuhammad Asif 3–1 Alex TaubmanRobert Milkins 3–0 Dominic Dale

Group 9

Group 9 was played on 14 July. John Astley won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group H.

Matches

Gary Wilson 2–2 Ma HailongJohn Astley 3–1 Mink NutcharutGary Wilson 2–2 Mink NutcharutJohn Astley 2–2 Ma HailongMink Nutcharut 2–2 Ma Hailong
  • Gary Wilson 1–'''3 John Astley'''

Group 10

Group 10 was played on 28 June. Michael White won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group G.

Matches

Ryan Day 2–2 Jiang JunMichael White 3–1 Himanshu JainRyan Day 3–0 Himanshu JainMichael White 3–1 Jiang Jun
  • Himanshu Jain 0–3 Jiang Jun
  • Ryan Day 1–'''3 Michael White'''

Group 11

Group 11 was played on 27 June. Martin O'Donnell won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group F.

Matches

  • Hossein Vafaei 1–3 Fergal Quinn
  • Aaron Hill 0–3 Martin O'DonnellHossein Vafaei 2–2 Martin O'DonnellAaron Hill 3–0 Fergal QuinnMartin O'Donnell 3–1 Fergal QuinnHossein Vafaei 3–1 Aaron Hill

Group 12

Group 12 was played on 12 July. Sanderson Lam won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group E.

Matches

Barry Hawkins 3–1 Jamie O'Neill
  • Zhang Anda 1–3 Sanderson LamBarry Hawkins 2–2 Sanderson LamZhang Anda 3–1 Jamie O'NeillSanderson Lam 3–1 Jamie O'Neill
  • ''Barry Hawkins 2–2 Zhang Anda''

Group 13

Group 13 was played on 13 July. David Gilbert won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group D.

Matches

David Gilbert 2–2 Ishpreet Singh ChadhaYuan Sijun 3–0 Sean O'SullivanDavid Gilbert 3–0 Sean O'SullivanYuan Sijun 3–0 Ishpreet Singh Chadha
  • Sean O'Sullivan 0–3 Ishpreet Singh ChadhaDavid Gilbert 3–1 Yuan Sijun

Group 14

Group 14 was played on 14 July. Liu Hongyu won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group C.

Matches

  • Ricky Walden 1–3 Liu HongyuDavid Lilley 3–1 Peng YisongRicky Walden 2–2 Peng Yisong
  • David Lilley 0–3 Liu Hongyu
  • Peng Yisong 1–3 Liu Hongyu
  • ''Ricky Walden 2–2 David Lilley''

Group 15

Group 15 was played on 4 July. Matthew Stevens won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group B.

Matches

Stuart Bingham 2–2 Duane JonesMatthew Stevens 3–1 Allan Taylor
  • Stuart Bingham 1–3 Allan TaylorMatthew Stevens 3–0 Duane JonesAllan Taylor 2–2 Duane JonesStuart Bingham 3–1 Matthew Stevens

Group 16

Group 16 was played on 3 July. Ben Woollaston won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group A.

Matches

  • Jimmy Robertson 1–3 Peter LinesBen Woollaston 3–0 Liam GrahamJimmy Robertson 3–1 Liam GrahamBen Woollaston 3–0 Peter LinesLiam Graham 2–2 Peter Lines
  • ''Jimmy Robertson 2–2 Ben Woollaston''

Group 17

Group 17 was played on 5 July. Zhou Yuelong won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group A.

Matches

Zhou Yuelong 3–0 Chris TottenAshley Hugill 3–1 Oliver Brown
  • Zhou Yuelong 0–3 Oliver Brown
  • Ashley Hugill 1–3 Chris TottenOliver Brown 2–2 Chris TottenZhou Yuelong 3–0 Ashley Hugill

Group 18

Group 18 was played on 11 July. Joe Perry won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group B.

Matches

Joe Perry 2–2 Stuart CarringtonJamie Clarke 3–1 Andy LeeJoe Perry 3–0 Andy LeeJamie Clarke 3–1 Stuart Carrington
  • Andy Lee 0–3 Stuart CarringtonJoe Perry 3–0 Jamie Clarke

Group 19

Group 19 was played on 10 July. Noppon Saengkham won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group C.

Matches

Noppon Saengkham 3–0 Ross MuirMark Davis 3–0 Jenson KendrickNoppon Saengkham 3–1 Jenson KendrickMark Davis 2–2 Ross MuirJenson Kendrick 2–2 Ross Muir
  • ''Noppon Saengkham 2–2 Mark Davis''

Group 20

Group 20 was played on 8 July. James Cahill won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group D.

Matches

Matthew Selt 3–0 Sydney WilsonJames Cahill 3–0 Andres PetrovMatthew Selt 3–0 Andres Petrov
  • James Cahill 0–3 Sydney WilsonAndres Petrov 2–2 Sydney Wilson
  • Matthew Selt 0–'''3 James Cahill'''

Group 21

Group 21 was played on 27 June. Chris Wakelin won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group E.

Matches

Chris Wakelin 3–0 Liam PullenOliver Lines 2–2 Anton KazakovChris Wakelin 3–1 Anton KazakovOliver Lines 2–2 Liam Pullen
  • Anton Kazakov 1–3 Liam Pullen
  • Chris Wakelin 0–'''3 Oliver Lines'''

Group 22

Group 22 was played on 28 June. Robbie Williams won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group F.

Matches

  • Joe O'Connor 1–3 Alfie DaviesRobbie Williams 2–2 Zak SuretyJoe O'Connor 3–0 Zak SuretyRobbie Williams 3–1 Alfie DaviesZak Surety 3–0 Alfie Davies
  • Joe O'Connor 1–'''3 Robbie Williams'''

Group 23

Group 23 was played on 7 July. Sam Craigie won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group G.

Matches

Fan Zhengyi 3–0 Ahmed Aly ElsayedSam Craigie 3–0 Fergal O'BrienFan Zhengyi 2–2 Fergal O'BrienSam Craigie 3–0 Ahmed Aly ElsayedFergal O'Brien 3–0 Ahmed Aly Elsayed
  • ''Fan Zhengyi 2–2 Sam Craigie''

Group 24

Group 24 was played on 6 July. Pang Junxu won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group H.

Matches

Pang Junxu 3–0 Stan MoodyWu Yize 2–2 Hammad MiahPang Junxu 3–1 Hammad MiahWu Yize 3–1 Stan MoodyHammad Miah 2–2 Stan MoodyPang Junxu 3–1 Wu Yize

Group 25

Group 25 was played on 8 July. Si Jiahui won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group H.

Matches

Si Jiahui 3–1 Haydon PinheyMark Joyce 2–2 Mohamed IbrahimSi Jiahui 2–2 Mohamed IbrahimMark Joyce 3–0 Haydon PinheyMohamed Ibrahim 2–2 Haydon PinheySi Jiahui 3–0 Mark Joyce

Group 26

Group 26 was played on 5 July. Jak Jones won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group G.

Matches

Jak Jones 2–2 Dean YoungJamie Jones 3–0 Rebecca KennaJak Jones 3–0 Rebecca KennaJamie Jones 2–2 Dean YoungRebecca Kenna 2–2 Dean YoungJak Jones 3–1 Jamie Jones

Group 27

Group 27 was played on 30 June. Barry Pinches won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group F.

Matches

Jordan Brown 2–2 Joshua Thomond
  • Julien Leclercq 1–3 Barry PinchesJordan Brown 2–2 Barry PinchesJulien Leclercq 3–1 Joshua Thomond
  • Joshua Thomond 1–3 Barry Pinches
  • Jordan Brown 0–'''3 Julien Leclercq'''

Group 28

Group 28 was played on 4 July. Anthony Hamilton won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group E.

Matches

Anthony Hamilton 3–0 Xing ZihaoBen Mertens 2–2 Ryan ThomersonAnthony Hamilton 2–2 Ryan ThomersonBen Mertens 2–2 Xing Zihao
  • Ryan Thomerson 1–3 Xing Zihao
  • ''Anthony Hamilton 2–2 Ben Mertens''

Group 29

Group 29 was played on 29 June. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group D.

Matches

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 3–0 Florian NüßleElliot Slessor 3–1 Victor SarkisThepchaiya Un-Nooh 3–1 Victor Sarkis
  • Elliot Slessor 0–3 Florian Nüßle
  • Victor Sarkis 0–3 Florian NüßleThepchaiya Un-Nooh 3–0 Elliot Slessor

Group 30

Group 30 was played on 26 June. Daniel Wells won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group C.

Matches

  • Graeme Dott 0–3 Andrew Higginson
  • David Grace 0–3 Daniel Wells
  • Graeme Dott 1–3 Daniel WellsDavid Grace 2–2 Andrew HigginsonDaniel Wells 3–0 Andrew HigginsonGraeme Dott 3–1 David Grace

Group 31

Group 31 was played on 13 July. Cao Yupeng won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group B.

Matches

Cao Yupeng 3–0 Steven HallworthLyu Haotian 2–2 Ian BurnsCao Yupeng 3–0 Ian BurnsLyu Haotian 3–0 Steven HallworthIan Burns 3–1 Steven HallworthCao Yupeng 3–1 Lyu Haotian

Group 32

Group 32 was played on 3 July. Xiao Guodong won the group and advanced to Stage 2, Group A.

Matches

Xiao Guodong 2–2 Rory McLeodMartin Gould 2–2 Alexander UrsenbacherXiao Guodong 3–1 Alexander UrsenbacherMartin Gould 2–2 Rory McLeodAlexander Ursenbacher 3–0 Rory McLeodXiao Guodong 3–0 Martin Gould

Stage Two

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

Order of play


DateGroup
17 JulyGroup E
17 JulyGroup F
18 JulyGroup C
18 JulyGroup H



DateGroup
19 JulyGroup A
19 JulyGroup D
20 JulyGroup B
20 JulyGroup G


Group A

Group A was played on 19 July. Xiao Guodong won the group and advanced to Stage 3, Group 1.

Matches

Zhou Yuelong 2–2 Michael HoltXiao Guodong 2–2 Ben WoollastonZhou Yuelong 2–2 Ben WoollastonXiao Guodong 2–2 Michael Holt
  • Ben Woollaston 0–3 Michael Holt
  • Zhou Yuelong 0–'''3 Xiao Guodong'''

Group B

Group B was played on 20 July. Cao Yupeng won the group and advanced to Stage 3, Group 2.

Matches

Judd Trump 3–1 Matthew Stevens
  • Joe Perry 0–3 Cao YupengJudd Trump 2–2 Cao YupengJoe Perry 2–2 Matthew StevensCao Yupeng 2–2 Matthew Stevens
  • ''Judd Trump 2–2 Joe Perry''

Group C

Group C was played on 18 July. Noppon Saengkham won the group and advanced to Stage 3, Group 2.

Matches

Noppon Saengkham 3–0 Liu Hongyu
  • Daniel Wells 1–3 Ashley CartyNoppon Saengkham 2–2 Daniel Wells
  • Ashley Carty 1–3 Liu HongyuDaniel Wells 2–2 Liu HongyuNoppon Saengkham 3–1 Ashley Carty

Group D

Group D was played on 19 July. Shaun Murphy won the group and advanced to Stage 3, Group 1.

Matches

Shaun Murphy 3–1 James CahillDavid Gilbert 2–2 Thepchaiya Un-NoohShaun Murphy 3–0 Thepchaiya Un-NoohDavid Gilbert 3–0 James CahillThepchaiya Un-Nooh 2–2 James Cahill
  • ''Shaun Murphy 2–2 David Gilbert''

Group E

Group E was played on 17 July. Chris Wakelin won the group and advanced to Stage 3, Group 1.

Matches

Kyren Wilson 3–0 Sanderson LamChris Wakelin 3–0 Anthony HamiltonKyren Wilson 3–0 Anthony HamiltonChris Wakelin 2–2 Sanderson LamAnthony Hamilton 3–0 Sanderson Lam
  • Kyren Wilson 1–'''3 Chris Wakelin'''

Group F

Group F was played on 17 July. Mark Williams won the group and advanced to Stage 3, Group 2.

Matches

Mark Williams 3–0 Barry PinchesRobbie Williams 2–2 Martin O'DonnellMark Williams 3–0 Martin O'DonnellRobbie Williams 3–0 Barry PinchesMartin O'Donnell 3–1 Barry PinchesMark Williams 3–0 Robbie Williams

Group G

Group G was played on 20 July. Sam Craigie won the group and advanced to Stage 3, Group 2.

Matches

Jak Jones 2–2 Long ZehuangSam Craigie 3–0 Michael White
  • Jak Jones 1–3 Michael WhiteSam Craigie 2–2 Long ZehuangMichael White 2–2 Long Zehuang
  • Jak Jones 1–'''3 Sam Craigie'''

Group H

Group H was played on 18 July. Robert Milkins won the group and advanced to Stage 3, Group 1.

Matches

Robert Milkins 3–0 John Astley
  • Pang Junxu 1–3 Si JiahuiRobert Milkins 2–2 Si JiahuiPang Junxu 2–2 John Astley
  • Si Jiahui 1–3 John Astley
  • ''Robert Milkins 2–2 Pang Junxu''

Stage Three

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

Group 1

Group 1 was played on 21 July. Shaun Murphy won the group and advanced to the final.

Matches

Shaun Murphy 2–2 Xiao GuodongRobert Milkins 2–2 Chris WakelinShaun Murphy 3–1 Chris WakelinRobert Milkins 2–2 Xiao GuodongChris Wakelin 3–1 Xiao Guodong
  • ''Shaun Murphy 2–2 Robert Milkins''

Group 2

Group 2 was played on 21 July. Mark Williams won the group and advanced to the final.

Matches

Mark Williams 2–2 Sam CraigieNoppon Saengkham 3–0 Cao YupengMark Williams 3–1 Cao YupengNoppon Saengkham 2–2 Sam Craigie
  • Cao Yupeng 0–3 Sam CraigieMark Williams 3–1 Noppon Saengkham

Century breaks

A total of 101 century breaks were made in the tournament.