Site News
Topic: *Industry News* 2015 - 2025

THE WORLD NINEBALL TOUR LANDS IN BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA!

European Open Pool Championship and Premier League Pool Set for a Thrilling Debut in Sarajevo, March 2025

The World Nineball Tour is proud to announce the debut of two premier events in Bosnia & Herzegovina, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton and Hills Hotel Sarajevo.

The European Open Pool Championship will take place from 11-16 March, live on Sky Sports, Viaplay, and WNT TV, followed by Premier League Pool from 20-27 March. Both events will be held in the breathtaking city of Sarajevo for the first time, marking an exciting new chapter for the World Nineball Tour.

SPECTATOR TICKETS FOR BOTH EVENTS ON SALE SOON

The full broadcast list for both events will be announced soon, ensuring fans worldwide won’t miss a moment of the action.

The first Matchroom Major of 2025, the European Open Pool Championship, will feature a 256-player field, including the top 128 professionals from the World Nineball Tour, such as Jayson Shaw, Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, Ko Ping Chung, and Ko Pin Yi. Players from around the world will compete for a $200,000 prize fund, with the champion set to claim an increased top prize of $40,000.

Following the European Open, Premier League Pool will bring its exhilarating round-robin format to Sarajevo for the first time. 16 of the world’s best players will compete in an intense, fast-paced showdown of 183 matches across 144 live hours, designed to deliver non-stop world-class Nineball.

A city rich in history and culture, Sarajevo is fast becoming a key destination for professional pool. With a growing fanbase and increasing local support for the sport, Bosnia & Herzegovina is the perfect new home for these prestigious tournaments.

Minister of Culture & Sports of Sarajevo Canton, Kenan Magoda stated: “I am proud that Sarajevo will host this tournament for the first time, welcoming the world’s best players and showcasing the quality of this competition. This is a major step forward for our city and for Sanjin’s career, allowing him to compete at the highest level in front of his home crowd. The Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton is pleased to support both Sanjin and Matchroom in bringing this elite event to Sarajevo. I commend Matchroom and Emily Frazer for their dedication in making it happen.”

One of the highlights of the European Open Pool Championship will be the presence of hometown favourite Sanjin Pehlivanovic, currently ranked 39th on the World Nineball Tour, who will have the opportunity to compete on home soil in a Matchroom Major for the first time.

Pehlivanovic shared his excitement: "The first thing that comes to mind is that I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but I can’t deny that winning this event in my home city would be incredible. Playing in front of my home crowd is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m fully focused on delivering my best performance to hopefully bring the European crown home."

The Hills Hotel Sarajevo provides the ideal setting for both the European Open Pool Championship and Premier League Pool, offering a prime location near the airport, top-class facilities, and excellent on-site amenities for both players and fans.

General Manager of Hills Hotel Sarajevo, Senad Halilovic, stated: "We are thrilled to host these two prestigious events at Hills Hotel Sarajevo. Our aim is to provide the ultimate setting for world-class sports, bringing top-tier competition to both our hotel and the vibrant city of Sarajevo. We look forward to showcasing the excitement of these events to the passionate local and international pool community."

CEO of Matchroom Multi Sport, Emily Frazer commented: "The European Open has rapidly become one of the premier events on the World Nineball Tour, and we’re thrilled to bring it to the stunning city of Sarajevo. Expanding into Bosnia & Herzegovina marks a significant step in our commitment to growing the sport globally and introducing Nineball to new audiences. With both the European Open and Premier League Pool taking centre stage this March, Sarajevo will become a true hotspot for world-class pool, and we can’t wait to experience the passion and energy of the fans. Thank you to our partners the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton and Hills Hotel Sarajevo for helping us put up these two spectacular events."

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness two world-class Nineball tournaments in Sarajevo! Tickets will be available soon—secure your spot early and experience the action live.

For all the latest updates, follow Matchroom Pool on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube

Predator Euro Tour Series

2025 Longoni Italian Open

Bold New Era Gets Underway on Thursday

5th February 2025

FOLLOWING A GROUND-BREAKING partnership between the EPBF and the
PREDATOR GROUP, the 2025 Euro Tour season gets underway on Thursday 6th
February with the LONGONI Italian Open (Open Division). The event is
full with 176 players and can boast an outstanding field as players look
to get the year underway with a strong start.

Competing this week is No.1 ranked player, Oliver Szolnoki (Hungary),
whose victory in Antalya in the last event of 2024, gave him his maiden
Euro Tour win and propelled him to the top of the rankings.

The 27-year-old Hungarian first came to attention in 2018 when he
claimed his first podium finish and has been knocking on the door ever
since. His win in Turkey – and 8-6 victory over Daniel Maciol –
represented a crowning achievement in a year that also saw him take
10-ball gold at the European Championships.

Commented Szolnoki, “It’s nice to come here as No.1 player but it’s been
a long off-season and the momentum is gone already so we have to start
all over again. We will see how it goes. It’s just one tournament, the
same as before. I’m curious about the Predator table and how it plays
and of course, there are more top players coming back to the Euro Tour
so the field will be stronger. My game is OK so let’s see how I do!”

Play gets underway on Thursday at 9.00 and concludes with the final
which takes place on Saturday 8th February at 18.00. It’s races-to-8 in
the double elimination phase and then to 10 from the last 32.

The Longoni Italian Open (Women) breaks off on Saturday and is played
out over two days with the title game scheduled for 17.00 on Sunday.
With Ina Kaplan (Germany) currently dominant in the division, having won
the last three events in some style, there is plenty of ground to be
made up by her fellow competitors.

Hot on Kaplan’s heels in the No.2 position is her fellow German, Pia
Filler, who arrives in Treviso full of determination.

She said, “I’m feeling pretty good coming into the event. I’ve been
playing pretty solid these past couple of weeks. I’ve got a little bit
of jetlag now but I’m very excited for the new season of the Euro Tour
because it’s completely new with Predator on board and I feel good about
my game.

“I like to improve every single day and always strive to get better and
I feel like need to learn something new every single day which I think I
do. We have a pretty good field with some high-quality players which I
love because I love competition! I’m always here to win and I’ll try my
best.”

Both events are 10-ball.

This year sees a new streaming platform for all Euro Tour and European
Championships events.
Table 1 will be streamed throughout on YouTube, via the Pro Billiard TV
channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ProBilliardTV

Commented JP Parmentier, Sports Marketing Director of Predator Group,
“Predator is delighted to welcome the longest-standing tour in the world
to our Pro Billiard media platforms. Our YouTube channel, Facebook and
Instagram pages reach in excess of 80 million people every year, so
we’re in a great position to significantly boost the viewership of
European events over the coming years.”

For all results, live scoring and draw, visit
https://www.epbf.com/tournaments/eurotour/information/

EPBF Sponsors

▸ Predator Group
▸ Iwan Simonis Billiard Cloth
▸ Aramith Billiard Balls
▸ Longoni Cues
▸ Kamui Brand

THE BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA JUNIOR OPEN DEBUTS – ENTRIES NOW OPEN!

ENTRIES OPEN HERE FOR THE BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA JUNIOR OPEN – ENTER HERE
https://matchroompool.com/tickets/2025-bosnia-and-herzegovina-junior-open-player-entry/

In partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton, the Bosnia & Herzegovina Junior Open is set to debut alongside the European Open Pool Championship, taking place from 14-15 March 2025 at the Hills Hotel Sarajevo in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina.

$10,000 prize fund on offer

Tournament dates: March 14-15, 2025

Open to juniors aged 17 and under

This exciting new addition to the World Nineball Tour’s growing roster of junior tournaments will feature a 32-player single-elimination format, offering budding young talents the chance to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Entry will cost $100, which will be refunded after the event is completed, provided participants take part.

Matchroom Pool remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of players and making the sport accessible to everyone. The Bosnia & Herzegovina Junior Open builds on this vision, giving young cueists the platform to showcase their skills and experience world-class competition.

Hometown hero, Sanjin Pehlivanovic stated: "It’s fantastic to see Bosnia & Herzegovina hosting its own junior event on the World Nineball Tour. This is an incredible opportunity for young players in the region to play at the highest level and be inspired by the atmosphere of a Matchroom Major. I’m proud to see our country stepping into the spotlight and giving these kids a chance to shine."

Onboard Sportswear will provide each participant with a free custom Bosnia & Herzegovina Junior Open jersey, ensuring they look and feel the part as they compete in the same arena that hosts the prestigious European Open Pool Championship from 11-16 March 2025.

Following in the Footsteps of Rising Stars, young players can look forward to an exhilarating competition reminiscent of last year’s junior event, where Maks Benko triumphed in a thrilling hill-hill final against Luka Bugarski.

Juniors competing in the Bosnia & Herzegovina Junior Open will not be eligible to play in the main European Open Pool Championship due to scheduling conflicts. However, as part of their entry, they will receive a guest pass and three additional tickets for the days they compete, giving them a chance to watch the world’s top professionals in action and gain invaluable insight into elite-level play.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this landmark junior event!

GBE 2025 Expands Floor Area Again, Reaching 80,000 Sq.m

The 2025 Guangzhou Billiards Exhibition (GBE) is set to expand its exhibition area once more, featuring eight halls and a total space of 80,000 sq.m—double the size of last year’s event.

With this unprecedented growth, we advise companies to bring more team members to maximize communication with exhibitors. The show will run for two and a half days, concluding at 12:00 noon on May 12th. Please plan your visits accordingly.

The venue is still the China Import and Export Fair Complex, but there have been changes to the layout. Make sure to check the new hall locations.

The 19th Guangzhou International Billiards Exhibition (GBE 2025)

Date: May 10th-12th, 2025

Venue: Halls 6.1, 7.1 & 8.1 (First Floor) and Halls 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2 (Second Floor), Area A, China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou

Two-Night Free Hotel for Overseas Visitors

Visitors from abroad, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan can enjoy two nights of free hotel accommodation. To avail yourself of this benefit, please register via our link before April 15th.

After registration, you will be assigned a QR code. Please save it in your phone to exchange for your visitor pass at the show.

GBE 2025 Visitor Registration Link...

http://www.hwvips.com/?x=NhjwA636&y=30484543b24e1c4da66dd124fc81ef6e&isexen=1

Registration for Thailand Billiards Expo Is Now Open

Mark your calendars for our new Thailand (Bangkok) Billiards Expo (TBE 2025) happening from October 15th-17th. This event is already attracting attention from industry leaders and brands like Simonis, Strachan, Aramith, DYNASPHERES, Taom Billiards, JFlowers and more. For more details, feel free contact us.

EPBF PRESS RELEASE

31st March

CHANGES TO THE EPBF BOARD AHEAD OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

WITH THE 2025 Predator European Championships underway in Tallinn, the
Board of the European Pocket Billiard Federation is preparing for its
General Assembly which takes place on 5th April in the Estonian capital.

The EPBF Board would like to take the opportunity to thank two of its
departing long-term board members for their time invested on the board
prior to the General Assembly.

Tomas Brikmanis has served on the board, firstly as the Youth Sports
Director and subsequently as an assessor, for many years. The Board
would like to express our warm gratitude and best wishes for future
challenges and the opportunities ahead.

Also departing is the EPBF Board’s longest serving in David Morris. Due
to the changes within the structure of the EPBF, David left the EPBF
board as per 1st January at the same time EPBF directors left the
International Billiard Promotion Foundation board.

The Board would like to express their gratitude towards the work and
cooperation Mr. Morris has given to our sport over the years. Although
his time in the Board is now over, his impact will be felt at all
EuroTour events going forward, as the President of the IBPF.

Henceforth, the administration of all EuroTour events has now changed.
All contact and enquiries with regards to the events - announcements,
hotel bookings, entries etc - should be directed to the IBPF at their
general address office@ibpf.eu

BCA Elects Jacklyn Ady 2025-2026 Board Chairman

Longmont, Colo. – April 7, 2025 – During its general membership meeting in Las Vegas, NV., on March 18, 2025, the Billiard Congress of America announced the results of its 2025- 2026 Board of Directors elections, which are as follows:

Category 1 (Manufacturer/Distributor) • Bill Dunne (Championship, LLC), three-year term • Michael Helbig (Legacy Billiards), three-year term.

Category 2 (Retail) • Kevin Henderson (Prestige Billiards), three-year term.

Category 3 (Room or League Operator) • Ed Liddawi (Sandcastle Billiards), three-year term

In the election of BCA officers, Jacklyn Ady (Brunswick Billiards Group) accepted a one-year term as BCA Board Chairman, as did each of the remaining seated officers: Vice Chairman Wes Bond (Koda Sports); Jacklyn Ady Brunswick Billiards Group Secretary Ed Liddawi (Sandcastle Billiards); and Treasurer Colby Olhausen (Olhausen Billiards).

The remaining directors include: Shane Bouchard (Maine Home Recreation); Maria Martinez-Trent (Pool Tables Plus); Kevin Henderson (Prestige Billiards); Bill Dunne (Championship, LLC) and Michael Helbig (Legacy Billiards).

"It is a great honor to be elected as the first woman Chairman of the Billiard Congress of America,” said Ady. “I am grateful for the trust my peers have placed in me, and I look forward to collaborating with the board and BCA staff to advance our mission. With the positive momentum from our members, a healthier financial outlook, and industry growth in the sport we all love, I am inspired by the passion and creativity our team brings. Together, we are ready to take the next step for the association, and I’m genuinely excited to help lead this journey forward.”

About Billiard Congress of America

Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody’s game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.

Billiard Congress of America | 303.243.5070 | BCA-Pool.com

2025 ONEIDA WPA WOMEN'S WORLD 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

~ $125,000+ Added

~ 64 Player Invitational Field

~ Opening Ceremony - July 1st

~ Stage 1 starts - July 2nd

~ Stage 1 completes - afternoon July 4th

~ 4th of July Celebration

~ Stage 2 starts - July 5th

~ Crown our World Champion - July 6th.

Oneida Casino Hotel
2020 Airport Drive
Green Bay, WI, 54313



There are no athletes from Africa, 17 athletes from Asia, 5 athletes from North America, 1 athlete from South America, 6 athletes from Europe and finally 1 athlete from Oceania. Two athletes are neutral individual athletes. Please note that the athletes currently ranked in 33rd place and down will be invited should the one or other athlete return their spot.
 
Contact Jose Burgos TODAY if you are interested in attending:

EMAIL TO SIGN UP AND GET MORE INFO

WPA AND MATCHROOM STRIKE DEAL

The World Pool Association (WPA) and Matchroom are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached, ensuring that World Nineball Tour (WNT) events will be ratified by the WPA moving forward.

Crucially, this deal guarantees that all player license suspensions will be lifted with immediate effect, and all licences reinstated without any financial liability. Furthermore, the agreement ensures that no WPA-licensed player will be banned solely for participating in ratified WNT events, providing players with the freedom to compete wherever and whenever they choose without fear of sanctions.

Matchroom has significantly elevated professional pool, creating new opportunities and enhancing the sport’s global appeal. Their investment and innovation align with the WPA’s shared vision of expanding the game’s reach.

The WPA looks forward to continued collaboration with Matchroom and its other key partners to advance professional pool in the best interests of players, fans, and the sport.

Ishaun Singh, President of the WPA, said:

“The WPA is committed to a global structure that supports the growth and integrity of professional pool. We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Matchroom that provides clarity and stability for players and event organizers. To ensure long-term stability, integrity, and inclusivity, it is vital that all stakeholders work within the WPA’s structured framework. Maintaining a unified, well-regulated global structure remains essential. Matchroom’s contributions are undeniable, and we look forward to working together under the WPA’s strategic plan to elevate the sport. Collaboration is key, and this agreement will help drive pool forward in a unified and sustainable way.”

Emily Frazer, Chief Executive of Matchroom Multi Sport, said:

“While the last year was a fantastic one for us and the WNT, it was equally frustrating with all the distractions off the table and the challenges players faced for participating in our events. I’ve always maintained that players should be the priority and shouldn’t play in fear of being banned. After careful negotiations, we’re extremely pleased to have reached this deal with the WPA. We’re looking forward to moving forward with mutual respect and recognition so we can focus all of our energy on making the WNT the biggest and best professional pool tour in the world.”

Matchroom Pool Teams Up with Princess Royal Hospital to Bring Smiles to Children in Telford

While the world’s top nine-ball stars battle it out at the UK Open Pool Championship at the Telford International Centre, Matchroom Multisport CEO Emily Frazer and commentator Jeremy Jones took time on Thursday afternoon to visit the Children’s Ward at Princess Royal Hospital, just 15 minutes from the venue.

Armed with t-shirts and gifts, the Matchroom Pool team brought smiles to young patients and their families, spending time chatting and sharing stories about the sport of nine-ball pool and the exciting event taking place in town. The visit offered a moment of joy and a meaningful distraction to children being treated on the ward, which caters to patients from just a few days old up to 18 years.

The Princess Royal Hospital has been at the heart of children’s care in Shropshire since opening in 2014. With a strong emphasis on creating a positive environment during hospital stays, the Play Team is dedicated to finding engaging, uplifting experiences for young patients. The ward even includes a school room with a half-scale pool table, where Jeremy Jones treated staff to a few friendly games and a demonstration of Nineball—sparking what could become a new favourite activity on the ward.

As part of its ongoing commitment to community engagement, Matchroom Pool has invited several young people from the hospital living with long-term conditions—such as cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes—and their families to attend the final day of the UK Open Pool Championship on Sunday, 11 May. The group will experience the buzz of the arena firsthand as the 2025 UK Open Champion is crowned.

This visit is just one of many initiatives Matchroom Pool has implemented to build lasting relationships with local communities across the World Nineball Tour calendar. Earlier in the week, the event hosted its inaugural ‘Race to 5K’—a community run with over 30 participants taking to a local park. In addition, Matchroom Pool partnered with a local Telford pool hall to distribute complimentary tickets for the UK Open, ensuring more local fans can enjoy top-tier nine-ball action.

Speaking on the visit, Matchroom Multisport CEO Emily Frazer said:

“It warmed my heart to see how our visit to Ward 19 at Princess Royal Hospital impacted both the staff and patients there this afternoon. Just a small gesture can have such a significant impact at really tough times in people’s lives. It was particularly great to spend time with the staff, who do a great job caring for the kids on the ward. We feel that Telford is the home of the UK Open Pool Championship, and we are keen to deepen our relationship with the community here.”

Kerry Davies, Youth Worker on the ward, added:

“A huge thanks to Emily, JJ, and the team for visiting the Children's Ward at PRH this afternoon. Visits to the ward make a real difference to the patients and their families—they provide a great distraction to those children and young people receiving treatment. Having chatted to patients and staff, we might have a few more Nineball fans!”

With every event it delivers, Matchroom Pool remains committed to leaving a positive impact not only on the table, but off it too—building meaningful connections with the people and places that welcome the world of nine-ball.


All photography courtesy of ©Matchroom Pool - used by Pro9 with permission.

BCA LAUNCHES INAUGURAL USA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Champions Earn Spot to Compete at World Championship

Longmont, Colo. – May 16, 2025 – The Billiard Congress of America, the recognized governing body for cue sports in the United States and North America is excited to announce the launch of the inaugural USA National Championships.

This prestigious new event will serve as the premier national competition for American pool and billiard athletes and provide them with an opportunity to qualify for the WPA World Championships.

Set to debut in Quincy, IL on July 6 – 12 at the Oakley Lindsey Civic Center, the USA National Championships will feature the country’s top pool players across multiple disciplines, including: 8-Ball and 10-Ball for the women, 9-Ball and 10-Ball for the men, and 8-Ball and 9-Ball for wheelchair competitors.

In a landmark development for U.S. cue sport athletes, each winner will earn the title of USA National Champion and be provided an invitation to represent the United States at the WPA World Championships, in the discipline in which they prevail.

“This is a significant step forward for American pool and billiards,” said Shane Tyree, Billiard Congress of America CEO. “Creating the USA National Championships will provide an unprecedented opportunity for our American athletes, as it will establish a clear and prestigious pathway to represent their country and compete at the highest level internationally.”

The event will adhere to WPA rules and standards, ensuring that winners are fully prepared for world-class competition. With the full endorsement of the WPA, the USA National Championships are poised to become a cornerstone in the development and recognition of elite American talent on the global stage.

Entry for the event will be reserved to Billiard Congress of America and WPBA ranked American players until June 1, on June 2, 2025, registration will be open to the public.

For more information about the USA National Championships schedule of events or hotel information please contact the Billiard Congress of America today, or visit the BCA event calendar page.

About Billiard Congress of America

Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody's game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.

Guangzhou Billiard Exhibition 2026 Booth Planning to Begin Soon

Thanks to the support of the global billiard community, GBE 2025 has concluded with a resounding success. As we begin preparations for GBE 2026, we sincerely invite you to reserve your booth space early. Please kindly inform us of your preferred booth size if you are interested in joining us next May.

Review of GBE 2025
Held from May 10th–12th at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Area A) in Guangzhou, this year’s exhibition spanned 6 halls with a total area of 80,000 sq.m, welcoming 600+ exhibitors and 130,000+ global visits.

The event showcased an unparalleled lineup of industry leaders, including Xingpai, Yalin, Predator, DYNASPHERES, Strachan6811, Aramith, Simonis, Rasson, Duya, SONGLI·DO, CUE-X, Liberwin, Jflowers, Shender, Wiraka, Jingdian, Fondly Love, Cuetec/Unique, Xingjue, Bestims, Tenshin, Superior Cloth, Jianying, DZS, Meilin Cloth, Master Cues, and many more, reinforcing GBE’s position as the premier platform for billiard innovation and collaboration.

Together we will make the billiard industry more prosperous! Feel free to contact us for more info. We look forward to your participation.

Best regards,
Grace