Barry Hearn set to play in the 2024 US Open 9-Ball Pool Championship

Sports event supremo Barry Hearn will sample the unique pressures of the competitive arena himself later this year when he takes part in the 47th US Open 9-Ball Pool Championship at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City between August 19-24.

The Matchroom Sport President has accepted a wildcard into the 256-player event, and will be joined in the field by Talksport Radio host Andy Goldstein, a very capable player who snooker fans will be familiar with having presented events on Sky Sports and Eurosport in the past.

Professional 9-ball pool’s most decorated tournament, the US Open was first held in 1976. In recent times, Matchroom Pool acquired the rights to the historic event and it is now part of their emerging World Nineball Tour portfolio where it has received a boost in total prize money.

American stars Earl Strickland and Shane Van Boening jointly hold the record for the most number of US Open crowns with five each. Fellow pool legends such as Efren Reyes have also claimed the prestigious title.

The US Open is a truly global event with a cosmopolitan field of cueists taking part each year. The reigning champion is Taiwan’s Ko Ping-Chung who defeated Russian-born Fedor Gorst - winner of last week’s World Pool Masters - 13-6 in the 2023 final.

Consisting of a double elimination format during it’s first phase - meaning players initially have two lives - the US Open will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

Speaking to ‘Gale Force’ Goldstein on his Talksport show yesterday, on realising a dream to compete in the event, Hearn said: “To walk out there and play against one of 128 players from the World Nineball Tour - which are the 128 best Nineball players in the world - is incredible. If I win one rack in the first round, I’ll sleep happy.”

Having discussed their chances in the tournament, Goldstein quipped: “I think you underestimate me; I actually think I have a chance at winning it.”