The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) and World Snooker Tour have today announced the qualification criteria for the 16 amateur places at the 2025 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield in April.
The qualifying rounds will take place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield from 7-16 April to determine who will join the world’s elite top 16 ranked players at the Crucible Theatre.
Alongside all professionals ranked outside the top 16, following the 2025 Tour Championship, and top-ups from the 2024 Q School Order of Merit, will be 16 leading amateur players who have earned their place at the event courtesy of their achievements at recognised international events across the season.
These include outstanding performers at the upcoming World Snooker Federation Championships in Morocco, and the WPBSA Q Tour Global which will reach its conclusion in Turkey this March.
Jason Ferguson, WPBSA Chairman said: “We are today pleased to confirm how 16 WPBSA qualifiers will earn their places at this season’s professional World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
“The now established criteria will once again see the outstanding performers from the world’s leading amateur snooker competitions rewarded with their chance to compete for the biggest prize in our sport in Sheffield later this season.
“This includes the upcoming WSF Championships, from which the winners, finalists and semi-finalists at the Open and Junior Championships, as well as the champion of the women’s tournament for the first time.
“We also recognise once again the elite talent from the WPBSA Q Tour Global, with the winner of the Q Tour Europe series set to be joined by each of the three winners at the Q Tour Global Playoffs set to be held in Turkey in March.
“It has been heartening to see the strength of amateur snooker around the world lately, with entry numbers at national and international events once again seeing significant growth during the past 12 months.
“Through our officially recognised WPBSA Tour pathways, players from around the world, whether male or female, at the start of their snooker journey or those returning to the sport, all have the opportunity to earn their place to compete on the biggest stage of all.
“There is still time for players to enter our upcoming WSF Championships in Morocco, as well as the decisive and final tournaments at our WPBSA Q Tour events around the world and to potentially earn your place in Sheffield this spring!”
WPBSA Qualification Criteria
Updated 04/01/2025:
- 2025 WSF Championship Winner
- 2025 WSF Junior Championship Winner
- 2025 WSF Women’s Championship Winner (Runner-up if already qualified)
- 2025 Q Tour Europe Winner
- 2025 Q Tour Global Play-Off 1 Winner
- 2025 Q Tour Global Play-Off 2 Winner
- 2025 Q Tour Global Play-Off 3 Winner
- 2025 WSF Championship Runner-Up
- 2025 WSF Junior Championship Runner-Up
- 2025 WSF Championship Semi-Finalist
- 2025 WSF Championship Semi-Finalist
- 2025 WSF Junior Championship Semi-Finalist
- 2025 WSF Junior Championship Semi-Finalist
- 2025 EBSA Under-18 European Championship Winner (Runner-up if already qualified)
- 2025 EBSA Under-21 European Championship Winner (Runner-up if already qualified)
- Highest ranked eligible player on the Q Tour Europe rankings
All players selected will appear subject to acceptance of their place and any travel restrictions in place. Any replacement players for these 16 places will be selected from a reserve list to include performances at World Snooker Federation, Q Tour and recognised regional events.
Any current professional players who do not enter the tournament will be replaced from the 2024 Q School Order of Merit.
