UK Snooker Championship ticket sales could exceed 2011 record (From York Press)

UK Snooker Championship ticket sales could exceed 2011 record

10:29am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Sport By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

TICKET sales for York’s williamhill.com UK Snooker Championship could surpass last year’s record numbers.

As of the end of last weekend, a total of 3,512 seats had been sold for the game’s second biggest tournament – which runs at York Barbican between December 1 and 9 – a figure which is slightly up on the 3,447 distributed at the same period a year ago.

The tournament, which sees the likes of defending champion Judd Trump, John Higgins and world number one Mark Selby battle it out in the Minster city, returned to York 12 months ago following a gap of five years.

Snooker loopy fans bought 5,832 tickets for green baize action before the start of last year’s event – advance numbers which had not been matched in the 34-year history of the event.

Around 8,000 tickets in all were sold for the nine-day competition, a factor which persuaded World Snooker to make York the tournament’s home until the end of 2013.

Last year’s event was won by Bristol potting sensation Trump, who beat Mark Allen 10-8 in the final.

A World Snooker spokesman said: “We’re thrilled to see tickets selling so well. Obviously bringing the tournament back to York was a big success and there was a real buzz about it last year. It seems as if fans are keen to book their tickets early and make sure this year’s tournament is even better. Some sessions are selling out very quickly, so anyone who wants to go should get in there fast.”

To book, log on to www.worldsnooker.com/tickets or phone York Barbican on 0844 854 2757.