Anthony Hamilton Joins British Seniors Open Line-Up
World Seniors Snooker (WSS) is delighted to announce that former ranking event winner Anthony Hamilton is the latest player to join the field for the 2025 British Seniors Open.
‘The Sheriff of Pottingham’ was on the World Snooker Tour (WST) for an unbroken 34-year spell, spending 15 years inside the top 32.
Between 2002 and 2007, Hamilton reached the quarter finals of the World Championship on four occasions and was a ranking event champion as recently as 2017 when he captured the German Masters crown.
Hamilton said: “The British Seniors Open sounds like a brilliant event and it is an honour to be invited to play in it and renew some old rivalries.”
Jason Francis, Chairman of WSS, said: “Anthony only retired from the main tour in May, following three decades as a professional player. He is exactly the type of servant to the game who deserves this chance to compete in a TV event on the World Seniors Snooker Tour. I can see this announcement being very well received as he remains such a popular player in the sport.”
The British Seniors Open will take place at Vaillant Live in Derby on 26-28 December 2025 and be shown live on Channel 5.
Over time I have read so many disparaging comments about Anthony… that he’s weird, that he’s filthy, and more. None of that is true. He’s a very interesting character, he’s very clever, very knowledgeable about his sport, he’s kind1 … but a bit shy. He is a great addition to the Seniors tour.
unless you disturb him when at the table on a break 😉 ↩︎
World Seniors Snooker (WSS) is delighted to announced that the 2025 British Seniors Open which will take place at Vaillant Live in Derby on 26-28 December 2025.
This new TV event will be shown live on 5 and sees snooker return to Derby for the first time since 1993 with eight players competing for the title.
Among those in action will be Jimmy ‘The Whirlwind’ White, 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, reigning World Seniors Snooker champion Alfie Burden and WSS debutant Matthew Stevens.
Former professionals Joe Perry and Dominic Dale also return to action while two more stellar names will be announced soon.
The event begins on Boxing Day with sessions taking place at 13:00 and 19:00. The semi-finals will be held on the afternoon of Saturday 27 December, while the final takes place on Sunday afternoon.
During the weekend, fans will get the chance to attend a Legends Lunch before play where they will get to meet former world champions Dennis Taylor and John Parrott.
WSS Chairman Jason Francis said: “I fell in love with the sport by watching events like the British Open from Derby in the 1980’s and so it is great to be able to bring top class snooker back to the city for the first time in 32 years. We hope all the people who enjoyed attending those events will support its return this Christmas and bring some new fans with them.”
Four-time World Seniors Snooker champion Jimmy White said “I was lucky enough to win the British Open in Derby in 1987 and 1992 so to get a chance to go back and add the British Seniors Open title is a great opportunity. I know how much people in Derby love snooker and so I hope they will come and pack the place out.”
Vaillant Live General Manager, Marcus Sheehan, said “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring snooker back to Derby! There’s a huge sporting appetite in the city and years of great tournaments at the Assembly Rooms. We can’t wait to bring this brilliant tournament to Vaillant Live!”
Derby South MP Baggy Shanker said: “Derby is a natural stage for major sporting events with passionate fans, a rich sporting legacy, and now a new world-class city centre venue to match. From hosting the British Open to welcoming the World Seniors Snooker Tour this Christmas, Derby is once again proving itself as a great destination for top-level sport.”
“Snooker has long been part of our story and, as a fan myself, I’m proud to see it return. It’s a chance for loyal supporters and new audiences to enjoy the game on their doorstep – and to show the rest of the country the very best of Derby.”
Please note that the Legends Lunch Packages are only available on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December and include food before play, a meet and greet with Dennis Taylor and John Parrott, a complimentary goody bag and a prime seat for the snooker.
World Seniors Snooker (WSS) is delighted to announce that both the 2025 British Seniors Open and 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship will be broadcast live on 5.
The British Seniors Open will return snooker to Derby for the first time in 32 years and feature star names like Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and Matthew Stevens.
Coverage will begin at 13:00 on Boxing day with the first of two quarter finals, a further session with two more quarter finals will be played from 19:00.
Both Semi Finals will take place from 13:00 on Saturday 27 December with the final starting at the same time on the Sunday.
This new deal also confirms the continuation of the World Seniors Snooker Championship from the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on 5 in May 2026.
World Seniors Snooker Chairman Jason Francis said “Our partnership with 5 has brought top class snooker to millions of fans in the UK and Ireland since 2023. Being able to stage a new event with them this Christmas is really exciting and it’s great for fans to know the World Seniors Snooker Championship will be back on the channel in May”
Raphael Pendergast, Acting Head of Sport at 5 said “We’re pleased to extend our relationship with World Seniors Snooker, and bring the strongest ever line-ups of Snooker legends into viewers’ homes at Christmas”.
Liber Win Announced as Official Global Cloth Partner of the World Seniors Snooker Tour
Chinese national brand Liber Win have been announced as the global cloth partner of the World Seniors Snooker (WSS) Tour in a new three-year deal which will see their cloth showcased at all WSS Tour events, including the 2026 World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Since 2000, the company has focused on research and development, using high quality Australian wool combined with the unique and environmental wool spinning, dying and finishing technology to produce a snooker and billiard cloth that produces an even and smooth surface, resulting in a stable ball speed and a durable suede feel.
WSS Chairman Jason Francis said: “Having personally visited the Liber Win factory in China, I was amazed at not only the scale of their operation but the attention to detail and desire to produce the best cloth for all cue sports players. I have attended many events in China where the Liber Win cloth has been used, all with great acclaim. Being a partner of the WSS Tour will mean their hard work and dedication will get rewarded with a television audience of millions to further promote their product, including at the 2026 World Seniors Championship which will be held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield”
Sunxiaoping, President of Jiangsu Liber Win Textile Group, said: “We are very proud to be the partner and the official cloth for the WSS Tour. This Tour plays tribute to legendary players and spreads the passion and history of our sport to more snooker fans. We want provide all seniors players with a precise and smooth playing experience during the game and continue to work with them to develop and promote use of the Liber Win cloth globally.”
All nine WSS Tour qualifying will also be played on Liber Win cloth with the first event due to begin on the 15 August 2025. Entries are open via WPBSA SnookerScores.
The WPBSA World Seniors Tour 