Premier League Snooker is a prestigious invitation event that features eight of the world's top players competing in a distinctive round-robin format. Held earlier in the snooker season, the Premier League stands apart from the standard WST ranking events by virtue of its unique structure and its invitation-only field — only the cream of the professional game receive a place in the draw. The tournament has a long and storied history, having been a fixture on British television for decades.
It is important to note that Premier League Snooker is a separate entity from the WST World Snooker Tour's standard ranking events. No world ranking points are awarded for winning the Premier League, but the prize money, prestige, and the opportunity to compete consistently against the very best players in the world make it one of the most coveted invitations in the sport. The event has often acted as a season-opener, giving top players competitive match practice before the ranking events begin in earnest.
Tournament Format
The Premier League uses a round-robin format across its eight invited participants. Every player faces every other player once during the league phase, accumulating points for wins and, in some formats, draws. The top four players at the end of the league phase advance to the semi-finals, with the winners contesting the final.
Key format details:
- Field size: 8 invited players — typically the world's top-ranked professionals at the time of the invitations.
- League phase: Each player plays every other player once. Points are awarded for wins.
- Match length: Best of 10 frames per match during the league phase (first to 6 frames wins).
- Semi-finals: Best of 10 frames (first to 6).
- Final: Best of 10 frames (first to 6).
- Venues: The Premier League has historically been staged across multiple venues, sometimes travelling to different UK cities across its league rounds rather than being held at a single fixed venue throughout.
The round-robin format is one of snooker's most watchable structures. Because players know they will face every opponent in the field, there is no single-elimination jeopardy — every match matters for league position, and even a player who suffers an early defeat can recover to reach the semi-finals. This creates a sustained period of competitive play and gives fans the opportunity to see rivalries play out across multiple encounters.
Past Champions (2015–2025)
The Premier League has been dominated in recent years by a small group of elite players, with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, and Neil Robertson accounting for the majority of titles between them.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Judd Trump | Ronnie O'Sullivan |
| 2024 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Neil Robertson |
| 2023 | Neil Robertson | Judd Trump |
| 2022 | Judd Trump | Mark Selby |
| 2021 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Judd Trump |
| 2020 | Neil Robertson | Ronnie O'Sullivan |
| 2019 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Neil Robertson |
| 2018 | Judd Trump | Mark Allen |
| 2017 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Mark Selby |
| 2016 | Neil Robertson | Judd Trump |
| 2015 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Neil Robertson |
How to Watch Premier League Snooker on TV
Coverage of Premier League Snooker has varied across broadcasters over the years. In recent seasons, the event has been broadcast on:
- TNT Sports — Live coverage of league matches and the knockout rounds on TNT Sports channels and the discovery+ streaming platform.
- Eurosport — In some seasons, Eurosport and the discovery+ platform have carried Premier League Snooker coverage.
For the very latest broadcast information for the current season's Premier League Snooker, check our full TV schedule page, which is updated regularly with confirmed broadcaster information.
Premier League vs. Ranking Events — What's the Difference?
New snooker fans sometimes confuse the Premier League with the WST's standard ranking events. Here is a quick summary of the key differences:
| Feature | Premier League | Ranking Events |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Invitation only | Open to all tour professionals |
| Format | Round-robin + knockout | Straight knockout |
| Ranking points | No | Yes |
| Field size | 8 players | Typically 64–128 players |
| Match length | First to 6 frames | Varies by round |