Even just a cursory glance at the history of the European Masters is enough for snooker fans, young and old, to be reminded of its significance on the World Snooker Tour.
First played in 1989, the Masters has taken place across 8 countries in Europe, making it a truly continental competition. During this time, the list of winners has included some of the game’s greatest players, from the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams, to Steve Davies and John Parrott.
Between 16–21 August 2022, the European Masters will write a brand-new chapter in its history when it visits, for the first time, Germany. While this news was always likely to excite snooker fans on the Continent, anticipation for the event has been intensified by the fact that the tournament, originally slated for February 2022, had to be pushed back to late summer due to issues surrounding Covid-19. The wait, however, is almost over.
Set to be staged at the Stadthalle in Fürth, just northwest of Nürnberg, the 2022 European Masters will feature some of snooker’s top current players, including Mark Selby and Neil Robertson. Tickets for a single session begin at €22, while all-day passes start at €55.
If the 2021 edition of the European Masters is anything to go by (held in Milton Keynes in February 2022 due to Covid-19) fans in Fürth could be in for a treat. In one of the World Snooker Tour’s greatest recent upsets, China’s 21-year-old phenom Fan Zhengyi defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 10–9 to win his first professional title, edging out The Rocket with a nerveless break of 92 in the final frame.
“Just playing Ronnie in the final was a dream come true,” Fan said upon winning. “He is every Chinese player’s idol, even Zhao and Yan, because he is so generous to us. I was so happy just to learn something from him.”
This year, Fan might be teaching his opponents a thing or two instead as he looks to become the first player to defend the trophy since Judd Trump in 2017. With Europe watching on, and some of the World Snooker Tour’s very best at the table, another Master will be crowned in the City of the Cloverleaf on 21 August.
For more information, or to purchase tickets for the European Masters, click here.