British Open

British Open Snooker returns to the calendar in 2021 as the sport’s top stars head to Leicester.

First held in 1985, the British Open was one of the flagship events of the season and has been won by a host of the sport’s all-time greats.

It will return as a ranking event from August 16-22, 17 years after it was last held, with John Higgins defeating Stephen Maguire in the final.

The tournament will feature 128 players competing over a short format at the Morningside Arena for a total prize fund of £470,000.

The field is headed by reigning World Champion Mark Selby as he aims for glory in his hometown, while world number one Judd Trump also looks to open his account for the new campaign.

World finalist Shaun Murphy and fellow ranking event winners Kyren Wilson, Mark Allen, John Higgins, Mark Williams and Stuart Bingham are also in action.

All matches up to and including the Last 16 will be contested over the best of five frames, with Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals best of seven and the final best of 11. Fixtures will be determined by random draw at the end of each round.