World Women's Snooker Tour heads stateside for season-opening event

A circuit open to players of all abilities, the WWST continues to grow in strength with a cosmopolitan and diverse catalogue of events and competitors.

Fantastic progress has been achieved by officials on the women’s scene over the past several years, and it is a far cry from just a decade ago when the circuit consisted of a handful of English-based tournaments.

There are more premier opportunities than ever before for the top women players with the WWST providing an official pathway to the sport’s professional circuit - the World Snooker Tour - with currently two tour cards on offer each season.

Since being awarded its own qualification route, six women players have earned professional status via the pathway: Reanne Evans, Baipat Siripaporn, Bai Yulu and Mink Nutcharut are all on snooker’s pro tour this term, and Ng On Yee and Rebecca Kenna have both been on it in recent times.

In 2019, 2022 and 2023, the World Women’s Snooker Championship winner has participated in the prestigious Champion of Champions professional invitational, and in each of the last two seasons, four women players have featured in the World Mixed Doubles alongside top male counterparts.

It is no coincidence that these doors have been opened due to the international expansion of the women’s tour and a new buzz surrounding it.

The 2024 World Women’s Snooker Championship held in Dongguan, China in March was arguably the greatest-ever edition of the long-running event. The competition was won by home hero Bai Yulu who lived up to pressure and expectation by becoming the first-ever winner of the blue-riband tournament from mainland China.

The exciting 21-year-old prospect qualified for the pro tour for the first time due to her triumph and, having broken scoring records in recent times on the women’s scene, it will be interesting to see how Bai copes on the top tier.

Thailand’s Nutcharut - world women’s champion in 2022 - is currently the world number one on the WWST, an accolade that saw her re-qualify for the main tour a few months ago. Three-time world women’s champion On Yee is second on the list, and the record-breaking 12-time world women’s champion Evans is third.

The current world women’s rankings lists 180 players representing 24 different nations.

The 2024/25 Women’s Snooker Season: Events, Schedule

Five ranking events are already inked in for the 2024/25 World Women’s Snooker Tour season, with several more expected to be finalised and announced in due course - this includes the World Women’s Snooker Championship.

First up is the third annual edition of the US Open (August 9-11) in Seattle. Jamie Hunter defeated Rebecca Kenna in the 2022 final and last year Mink Nutcharut denied Ng On Yee in the title match. Earlier in the event, Hong Kong cueist On Yee set a new high break record in the competition’s history with an effort of 121.

Following the American excursion is the 2024 UK Championship at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, England between September 6-8.

The circuit then heads ‘Down Under’ for the latest episode of the Australian Open in Sydney (October 5-8) before a ranking event (name TCB) takes place at Frames Sports Bar in London, England (November 22-24).

The final confirmed competition at the time of writing is the 2025 British Open at the Landywood Snooker Club in Great Wyrley, England (March 28-30).

In recent years, women’s ranking events have also been held in Albania, Belgium, Thailand, Scotland and Malta.

To follow results for the 2024 US Women’s Snooker Open, visit here.