2024 Championship League (invitational)


The 2024 Championship League Invitational was a professional nonranking snooker tournament, which took place from 2 January 2024 to 13 March 2024 at the Leicester Arena in Leicester, England.
John Higgins was the defending champion, having won the tournament for the fourth time after beating Judd Trump 31 in the final of the 2023 event. He was defeated 30 by Joe O'Connor in the Winners' Group semifinals.
There were three maximum breaks achieved during the tournament, by Kyren Wilson in Group 3, by John Higgins in Group 5, and by Joe O'Connor in Group 7. This is only the third time that three maximums have been made in an event, the first being at the 2012 UK Championship, and the second at the 2017 German Masters.
Mark Selby won the tournament, beating Joe O'Connor 31 in the final.

Format

A total of 25 players were initially invited to the event, with the matches played behind closed doors without an audience. Players earned prize money for every won, as well as being semifinalists, runnerup, and winner of each group, with more money involved in the Winners' Group. Since 2010, all matches were played as the best of five frames.
The tournament was played in a roundrobin format, consisted of eight groups of seven players. The top four players in each group qualified for a playoff, with the winner entering the Winners' Group. The bottom two players in each group were eliminated, and the remaining four moved to the next group, where they were joined by three more players. This format was played for each group, from one to seven. In each group, the players were ranked by the number of matches won, then by most frames won, and then by least frames lost. If two players were tied by these criteria, the player who won the match between them was ranked higher in the table. The group playoff semifinals were contested between the 1st and 4th place players in the table, and between the 2nd and 3rd place players in the table. The Winners' Group was played at the end, and its playoff winner became champion of the tournament.
Groups 1 and 2 were played from 2 to 5 January. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were played from 5 to 10 February. Groups 6 and 7 were played from 26 to 29 February, and the Winners' Group was played on 12 and 13 March. The champion takes a place in the Champion of Champions.
The event was broadcast by DAZN in Germany, Spain, the United States and Brazil; Fox Sports in Australia; Nova in Czechia and Slovakia; Premier in the Philippines; Rigour Media in China; Viaplay in the Baltics, Iceland and the Netherlands; Viasat in Scandinavia; and by Matchroom.live in all other territories. It was also streamed live on the MatchroomMultiSport YouTube channel.

Withdrawals

There were a number of players who were originally invited to participate, who withdrew and were replaced by others. Most notable among these were Mark Allen, Zhang Anda, Zhou Yuelong, Hossein Vafaei, Jack Lisowski, Judd Trump, and Si Jiahui. There were other changes as players moved between groups, as noted in the group sections below.

Prize fund

The breakdown of prize money for the 2024 Championship League is as follows:
  • Groups 1–7
  • *Winner: £3,000
  • *Runner-up: £2,000
  • *Semi-final: £1,000
  • *Frame-win : £100
  • *Frame-win : £300
  • *Highest break: £500
  • Winners' Group
  • *Winner: £10,000
  • *Runner-up: £5,000
  • *Semi-final: £3,000
  • *Frame-win : £200
  • *Frame-win : £300
  • *Highest break: £1,000
  • Maximum possible tournament total: £205,000
  • Minimum possible tournament total: £152,800

Group 1

Group 1 was played on 2 and 3 January 2024. There were 19 century breaks made in Group 1, the highest being 140 made by both Chris Wakelin and Kyren Wilson. Stuart Bingham won the group and qualified for the Winners' Group.

Group 1 league matches

2 January

Kyren Wilson 3–0 Stuart BinghamRyan Day 3–2 Gary WilsonKyren Wilson 3–0 Chris Wakelin
  • Robert Milkins 0–3 Noppon SaengkhamRyan Day 3–1 Stuart BinghamChris Wakelin 3–2 Noppon Saengkham
  • Kyren Wilson 1–3 Ryan Day
  • Robert Milkins 1–3 Gary WilsonRyan Day 3–2 Chris WakelinStuart Bingham 3–2 Gary Wilson
  • Robert Milkins 0–3 Chris WakelinKyren Wilson 3–2 Noppon Saengkham

3 January

  • Robert Milkins 1–3 Stuart BinghamGary Wilson 3–2 Noppon SaengkhamRobert Milkins 3–2 Ryan DayGary Wilson 3–2 Chris WakelinRyan Day 3–2 Noppon Saengkham
  • Chris Wakelin 2–3 Stuart BinghamKyren Wilson 3–1 Robert MilkinsStuart Bingham 3–2 Noppon SaengkhamKyren Wilson 3–2 Gary Wilson

Group 2

Group 2 was played on 4 and 5 January 2024. There were 17 century breaks made in Group 2, the highest being 142 made by Ali Carter. Chris Wakelin won the group and qualified for the Winners' Group.

Group 2 league matches

4 January

  • Mark Selby 1–3 Kyren WilsonAli Carter 3–0 Gary WilsonMark Selby 3–1 Ryan DayChris Wakelin 3–0 Matthew SeltGary Wilson 3–0 Ryan DayKyren Wilson 3–1 Matthew Selt
  • Mark Selby 1–3 Matthew Selt
  • Ali Carter 0–3 Chris Wakelin
  • Ryan Day 2–3 Matthew SeltKyren Wilson 3–0 Chris WakelinAli Carter 3–0 Ryan DayMark Selby 3–1 Gary Wilson

5 January

  • Kyren Wilson 1–3 Ali Carter
  • Gary Wilson 2–3 Chris WakelinAli Carter 3–2 Matthew Selt
  • Ryan Day 2–3 Chris WakelinGary Wilson 3–0 Matthew SeltKyren Wilson 3–1 Ryan DayMark Selby 3–0 Ali CarterMark Selby 3–1 Chris Wakelin
  • Kyren Wilson 0–'''3 Gary Wilson'''

Group 3

Group 3 was played on 5 and 6 February 2024. There were 26 century breaks made in Group 3, the highest being 147 made by Kyren Wilson in his league match against Tom Ford, the fifth maximum break of his career. Mark Selby won the group and qualified for the Winners' Group.

Group 3 league matches

5 February

  • Neil Robertson 1–3 Kyren WilsonMark Selby 3–2 Tom Ford
  • Neil Robertson 2–3 John Higgins
  • Gary Wilson 2–3 Xiao Guodong
  • Mark Selby 2–3 John HigginsKyren Wilson 3–0 Xiao GuodongNeil Robertson 3–1 Xiao Guodong
  • Tom Ford 0–3 Gary Wilson
  • John Higgins 2–3 Xiao Guodong
  • Kyren Wilson 0–3 Gary Wilson
  • John Higgins 2–3 Tom FordMark Selby 3–1 Neil Robertson

6 February

Kyren Wilson 3–2 Tom FordMark Selby 3–2 Gary Wilson
  • Tom Ford 0–3 Xiao GuodongJohn Higgins 3–0 Gary WilsonMark Selby 3–2 Xiao Guodong
  • Kyren Wilson 0–3 John HigginsNeil Robertson 3–0 Tom FordNeil Robertson 3–0 Gary Wilson
  • Mark Selby 1–'''3 Kyren Wilson'''

Group 4

Group 4 was played on 7 and 8 February 2024. There were 18 century breaks made in Group 4, the highest being 143 made by John Higgins. Neil Robertson won the group and qualified for the Winners' Group.

Group 4 league matches

7 February

Kyren Wilson 3–1 Barry HawkinsJohn Higgins 3–2 Jimmy Robertson
  • Neil Robertson 0–3 Barry Hawkins
  • Ricky Walden 0–3 Xiao GuodongNeil Robertson 3–0 Jimmy Robertson
  • Kyren Wilson 1–3 Xiao Guodong
  • Barry Hawkins 1–3 Jimmy Robertson
  • John Higgins 1–3 Ricky Walden
  • Kyren Wilson 0–3 Jimmy RobertsonNeil Robertson 3–0 John HigginsKyren Wilson 3–2 Ricky WaldenBarry Hawkins 3–1 Xiao Guodong

8 February

  • Neil Robertson 1–3 Ricky WaldenJohn Higgins 3–2 Xiao GuodongRicky Walden 3–0 Jimmy Robertson
  • Kyren Wilson 2–3 John Higgins
  • Neil Robertson 2–3 Kyren WilsonJimmy Robertson 3–2 Xiao GuodongBarry Hawkins 3–0 Ricky WaldenJohn Higgins 3–1 Barry HawkinsNeil Robertson 3–1 Xiao Guodong

Group 5

Group 5 was played on 9 and 10 February 2024. There were 19 century breaks made in Group 5, the highest being 147 made by John Higgins in his semi-final match against Fan Zhengyi, the 13th maximum break of his career. Higgins won the group and qualified for the Winners' Group.

Group 5 league matches

9 February

Barry Hawkins 3–1 Joe PerryFan Zhengyi 3–0 Kyren Wilson
  • Ricky Walden 2–3 David GilbertJohn Higgins 3–0 Joe PerryBarry Hawkins 3–0 Ricky WaldenJohn Higgins 3–0 Fan Zhengyi
  • Joe Perry 2–3 Fan ZhengyiKyren Wilson 3–0 David GilbertBarry Hawkins 3–1 Fan ZhengyiKyren Wilson 3–2 John HigginsBarry Hawkins 3–0 David Gilbert
  • Joe Perry 2–'''3 Ricky Walden'''

10 February

  • Kyren Wilson 0–3 Ricky WaldenJohn Higgins 3–2 David Gilbert
  • David Gilbert 2–3 Fan Zhengyi
  • Kyren Wilson 2–3 Barry Hawkins
  • Ricky Walden 1–3 Fan Zhengyi
  • John Higgins 0–3 Barry Hawkins
  • Joe Perry 0–3 David GilbertJohn Higgins 3–2 Ricky Walden
  • Kyren Wilson 2–'''3 Joe Perry'''

Group 6

Group 6 was played on 26 and 27 February 2024. There were 15 century breaks made in Group 6, the highest being 142 made by Ricky Walden. Kyren Wilson won the group and qualified for the Winners' Group.

Group 6 league matches

26 February

Fan Zhengyi 3–1 Elliot Slessor
  • Ricky Walden 0–3 Joe O'ConnorKyren Wilson 3–1 Sam Craigie
  • Pang Junxu 0–3 Elliot SlessorKyren Wilson 3–2 Fan ZhengyiPang Junxu 3–1 Joe O'Connor
  • Sam Craigie 0–3 Ricky Walden
  • Joe O'Connor 1–3 Elliot SlessorPang Junxu 3–0 Ricky Walden
  • Fan Zhengyi 1–3 Joe O'ConnorKyren Wilson 3–2 Elliot SlessorSam Craigie 3–2 Fan Zhengyi

27 February

Sam Craigie 3–2 Pang JunxuKyren Wilson 3–2 Ricky WaldenSam Craigie 3–0 Joe O'Connor
  • Ricky Walden 1–3 Fan Zhengyi
  • Kyren Wilson 1–3 Joe O'ConnorPang Junxu 3–1 Fan Zhengyi
  • Elliot Slessor 1–3 Sam Craigie
  • Kyren Wilson 0–3 Pang JunxuElliot Slessor 3–2 Ricky Walden

Group 7

Group 7 was played on 28 and 29 February 2024. There were 16 century breaks made in Group 7, the highest being 147 made by Joe O'Connor in his league match against Elliot Slessor, the first maximum break of his career and the 200th in professional snooker. O'Connor won the group and qualified for the Winners' Group.

Group 7 league matches

28 February

  • Pang Junxu 0–3 Jak Jones
  • Joe O'Connor 2–3 Jordan BrownJoe O'Connor 3–0 Sam CraigieJak Jones 3–2 Elliot SlessorPang Junxu 3–2 Jordan BrownJak Jones 3–0 Sam Craigie
  • Pang Junxu 0–3 Elliot SlessorJordan Brown 3–2 Sam Craigie
Results not counted after O'Sullivan's withdrawal:Ronnie O'Sullivan 3–2 Sam CraigieRonnie O'Sullivan 3–2 Elliot Slessor
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan 0–3 Jak Jones
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan 2–'''3 Joe O'Connor'''

29 February

  • Pang Junxu 2–3 Joe O'Connor
  • Jordan Brown 1–3 Elliot Slessor
  • Jordan Brown 1–3 Jak JonesPang Junxu 3–0 Sam Craigie
  • Joe O'Connor 2–3 Jak JonesElliot Slessor 3–1 Sam CraigieJoe O'Connor 3–2 Elliot Slessor
Matches not played:
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan v Pang Junxu
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jordan Brown

Winners' Group

The Winners' Group was played on 12 and 13 March 2024. There were 16 century breaks made in the Winners' Group, the highest being 143 made by Neil Robertson. Mark Selby won the group and the tournament.

Winners' Group league matches

12 March

Kyren Wilson 3–2 Stuart BinghamMark Selby 3–0 Joe O'ConnorJohn Higgins 3–2 Stuart BinghamNeil Robertson 3–0 Chris Wakelin
  • Mark Selby 1–3 John Higgins
  • Kyren Wilson 0–3 Neil Robertson
  • Chris Wakelin 1–3 Joe O'Connor
  • Neil Robertson 1–3 Stuart BinghamMark Selby 3–0 Kyren WilsonJohn Higgins 3–0 Joe O'ConnorKyren Wilson 3–2 Chris Wakelin
  • Mark Selby 0–'''3 Stuart Bingham'''

13 March

  • John Higgins 2–3 Chris Wakelin
  • Neil Robertson 2–3 Joe O'ConnorKyren Wilson 3–2 Joe O'ConnorMark Selby 3–1 Chris WakelinMark Selby 3–1 Neil RobertsonJohn Higgins 3–1 Kyren Wilson
  • Chris Wakelin 1–3 Stuart BinghamJohn Higgins 3–0 Neil Robertson
  • Stuart Bingham 0–'''3 Joe O'Connor'''

Century breaks

A total of 146 century breaks were made during the tournament.147, 143, 143, 132, 131, 130, 130, 129, 127, 125, 109, 109, 107, 107, 104, 102, 102, 101 John Higgins147, 140, 140, 139, 137, 131, 131, 130, 128, 123, 120, 117, 111, 109, 108, 107, 106, 104, 104, 102, 100 Kyren Wilson147, 139, 139, 132, 114, 109, 106, 100 Joe O'Connor143, 137, 137, 135, 135, 133, 127, 117, 114, 107, 106 Neil Robertson142, 139, 133, 132, 128, 125, 122 Ricky Walden142, 101 Ali Carter
Note: Bold = highest break in the indicated group.

Winnings

No.Player1234567WTotal
1Mark Selby.png" />Mark Selby|ENG