Manchester Snooker at Its Best: Our Visit to the 2026 Tour Championship

Why the 2026 Tour Championship Was a Big Moment for Manchester Snooker

On Monday 30th March, Hazel Grove Snooker Club boss Dino and his wife Beata were honoured to be invited by Ian and Cathy Carter from No Tier Snooker to attend the 2026 Sportsbet.io Tour Championship, held at Manchester Central from 30 March to 5 April 2026.



The tournament featured the top 12 players on the one-year ranking list following the 2026 World Open, making it one of the biggest professional snooker events in Manchester this year.

What Happened at the Tour Championship in Manchester?

The morning started with a brilliant surprise thanks to Chris Lovell, who arranged for the group to skip the queues and enter before the general public arrived.



That early access gave us time to enjoy the Q Zone, which included mini snooker tables, darts oches fitted with snooker-style boards, large screens, and the media table area.


It also gave us the chance to be up close with some of snooker’s biggest names, including Ken Doherty, John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Steven Matthews. One of the highlights of the day was getting a photo with Chris Wakelin.

What Was the Atmosphere Like at Manchester Central?

After the Q Zone, we entered the main arena, glowing green and full of anticipation. It had a real magical feeling from the moment we walked in. We had a fantastic view of both matches Judd Trump v Mark Allen and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh v Barry Hawkins.


Watching live snooker in that setting gave us goosebumps. It was a reminder of why Manchester snooker events always create such a special atmosphere.

Who Are No Tier Snooker?

No Tier Snooker provides a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals living with early-onset dementiaor Frontotemporal Dementia.


The sessions are all about companionship, friendly banter, a shared love of snooker, and spending time with others who understand the same condition.



These sessions are held at Hazel Grove Snooker Club every Tuesday from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, and everyone is welcome.

Where Can You Play Snooker Near Manchester?

If reading about the Tour Championship has inspired you to get involved, you can find out more about playing locally at Hazel Grove Snooker Club’s Manchester snooker page.


We offer:


  • Professional-standard snooker tables
  • UK pool and USA pool
  • Darts
  • Table tennis
  • A friendly and welcoming club atmosphere



For anyone searching for snooker club Manchester, play snooker Manchester, or snooker near Stockport, Hazel Grove Snooker Club is proud to be part of the local cue sports scene.

Why Is No Tier Snooker So Important?

After the session, we had a group photo with the gang and also met Jason Ferguson, who spent a long time chatting to us about No Tier Snooker and the potential for it to grow into a national campaign.


It was inspiring to hear ideas being discussed around how snooker can help support those living with early-onset dementia or Frontotemporal Dementia on a much bigger scale.


What Ian and Cathy have achieved with No Tier Snooker is absolutely superb, and we are honoured to play a small part in their very important journey.

Final Thoughts on Manchester Snooker and Community

The 2026 Tour Championship showed exactly what makes snooker in Manchester so special. It is not just about elite-level matches and world-class players. It is also about community, accessibility, and using the sport to bring people together.

From the magic of the arena to the meaningful conversations afterwards, it was a day we will not forget.

Hazel Grove Snooker Club Unveils Brand New Flooring in the Snooker Hall

2 November 2024
Exciting changes are underway at Hazel Grove Snooker Club! We’re thrilled to announce the completion of our latest renovation project: a full revamp of the snooker hall flooring. Our members and visitors will now be greeted by a beautiful, high-quality carpet that perfectly complements the stylish look and feel of our popular pool area. The fresh flooring not only enhances the club's aesthetics but also adds to the comfortable and welcoming atmosphere we’ve always strived for at Hazel Grove. A Stylish New Look for Our Snooker Hall The new carpet was chosen with care to reflect both the heritage and vibrancy of the club, matching the contemporary design of our pool area while retaining that classic snooker club charm. We’ve invested in a durable, high-quality material that’s built to last, even with regular foot traffic. The stylish design adds a touch of sophistication to the hall, creating a comfortable and appealing space for our members to enjoy. Committed to Continuous Improvement At Hazel Grove, we’re committed to continually improving the club’s facilities, and we’re delighted to be in a position to make these upgrades for our members. The flooring renovation is just one step in our ongoing efforts to enhance the experience for everyone who walks through our doors. Our vision is to provide a top-tier environment where players can focus on their game in comfort and style. What’s Next: Upgrading the Drinks Surfaces But we’re not stopping at the flooring! Next on our list of planned renovations is an upgrade to the old drinks surfaces in the snooker hall which got a little sticky after years of cleaning chemicals, particularly during the COVID years where harsh antivirals and bleaches were used to disinfect constantly. We know that our members value having comfortable, convenient surfaces to place your drinks, and we’re excited to bring a fresh, modern look to these areas as well. Stay tuned as we roll out these updates in the coming months, making Hazel Grove Snooker Club an even better place to gather, play, and socialize. Thank You for Your Support! As always, we’d like to extend a huge thank you to our loyal members and guests. Your support is what enables us to make these improvements bit by bit, turning Hazel Grove Snooker Club into a true community hub. We hope you enjoy the new flooring as much as we do and look forward to sharing more updates with you soon. Come down to see the changes for yourself, and let us know what you think. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Halloween Pool League Finals at Hazel Grove Snooker Club: A Spooktacular Night of Fun and Competition!

2 November 2024
The Hazel Grove Snooker Club was brimming with excitement on Halloween night as players gathered for the Thursday Pool League Finals, a thrilling evening that combined competitive play with festive fun. This year, the club added a twist to the finals by encouraging all players to come dressed in Halloween costumes, transforming the club into a lively display of ghouls, goblins, and all kinds of creepy creatures. The atmosphere was electric as players put their skills to the test while also embracing the Halloween spirit. A Night of Costumes and Competition Players went all out with their costumes, making it a night to remember. From vampires to zombies, and even a few superheroes, the costumes brought a playful, spirited touch to the usual focus on strategy and precision. The enthusiasm in the air was contagious as spectators and players alike cheered on their favorite teams, enjoying the unique combination of competition and costume. The Big Winners The night wasn’t just about the costumes, though—there were major wins to be celebrated as well! In League 1, the team known as 8 Balls Of Fire emerged victorious, proving their prowess at the table and claiming the League 1 Cup. Their consistent skill and teamwork set them apart from the competition, earning them a well-deserved place in the spotlight. Over in League 2, it was 2 Men and a Monster who took the win, showing that even the scariest competition can be overcome with dedication and practice. Their creative team name was only outdone by their talent, as they pocketed balls with precision and confidence, securing the League 2 Cup. The night also included the Plate Competition, where the 3 Musketeers team came out on top. Their victory in this category was the cherry on top of an already exhilarating night, as they demonstrated their own set of skills and determination to bring home the Plate win. A Night to Remember The Halloween Finals Night at Hazel Grove Snooker Club was truly one for the books. The costumes, the camaraderie, and the competition all came together to create an unforgettable evening. The club's atmosphere buzzed with laughter, cheers, and the sound of cue balls striking, reminding everyone why Hazel Grove Snooker Club is such a beloved part of the community. Congratulations to all the winners—and here’s to many more spirited and spooky nights at Hazel Grove! 

Club Renovations

by websitebuilder • 27 January 2021
Take a look at the full renovations the snooker club has been through. A full modernization and update to every aspect of the club.

Message From John Virgo

by Hazel Grove Snooker Club • 27 January 2021
It has been a tough year for everyone and our thoughts go out to each and every one of you who has been affected by this global disaster in their own ways. We will get through this, and the "old normal" will be back one day (maybe with more sanitizer!) and we look forward to the day we can welcome you all back with minimal rules and restrictions. In the meantime, enjoy this lovely message from John Virgo.

VLOG - Lockdown Check-In

by Hazel Grove Snooker Club • 27 January 2021

VLOG - Renovating Private Room 2

by Hazel Grove Snooker Club • 27 January 2021
Update on our renovation plans for Private Room 2 during lockdown.

VLOG - Renovating Private Room 1

by Hazel Grove Snooker Club • 27 January 2021
Update on our renovation plans for Private Room 1 during lockdown.
The Best Snooker Club in Manchester?

The Best Snooker Club in Manchester?

by Quality snooker in Manchester for our members at £7.50 per hour, or £16 for 3 hours in the daytime for our members. • 29 May 2018
What is the Best Snooker Club in Manchester?