While The November Meeting, which gets under way in 10 days’ time, is the next major event at Cheltenham Racecourse, fans of snooker are already starting to count down the days to when their sport is centre stage at Prestbury Park.

The Coral World Grand Prix – one of the big events on the packed snooker calendar – will run from 3rd-9th February in The Centaur.

The tournament will see the leading 32 players on the one-year ranking list qualifying to play. 

The event was staged in Cheltenham for the first-time in 2019, with Judd Trump lifting the trophy after coming through a strong field which included top stars such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Mark Williams and local favourite Jack Lisowksi from Churchdown. The top prize this time around is £100,000.

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “This is a marvellous opportunity to see the very best players on the planet. Certain sessions are sure to sell out quickly so fans must book now.

“It is sure to be a strong field packed with players in form and a tremendous spectacle of sport over the six days. We are thrilled to be heading back to a superb venue in Cheltenham for this prestigious event.”

The race to qualify started at the beginning of the season in July, and it finishes at the German Masters on Sunday 2nd February. The top 32 players on the one-year list at that point will qualify.

It is the first event in the Coral Series, with the best 16 going on to the Coral Players Championship, and then the top eight contest the Coral Tour Championship. All three events are televised live by ITV4.

Lee Moulson, Regional Head of Sales for the South West Region of The Jockey Club, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Coral World Grand Prix is returning to Cheltenham Racecourse for a second year.

“The inaugural event was a really exciting tournament and we are expecting more thrills in 2020.”

Tickets are on sale now and prices start at just £15, with all-day tickets for the showpiece final on Sunday 9th February costing £55, while an event pass for every session of the tournament is £180. There are also VIP packages available from £75.

For all details about the competition or to book, visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

Meanwhile, the three-day race meeting at Prestbury Park later this month starts on Friday 15th November.