STAR NAMES SET FOR WORLD QUALIFIERS

Top players including Ding Junhui, Stephen Maguire, Ali Carter and Joe Perry will all be competing in the qualifying rounds of the Betfred World Championship, which run from April 4 to 13 at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield.

In total there will be 128 players in the field for the qualifying rounds of snooker’s biggest event, and only 16 will survive, going through to the Crucible to join the top 16 seeds.

There are still two counting events – the BetVictor Gibraltar Open and Cazoo Tour Championship – before the top 16 seeds are confirmed, but the likes of three-time UK Champion Ding and six-time ranking event winner Maguire are sure to be in the field for the qualifying rounds.

Former champions Graeme Dott and Ken Doherty, all-time legend Jimmy White and Hong Kong’s greatest player Marco Fu will also be in the line up, as well as top women players Reanne Evans, Ng On Yee, Nutcharut Wongharuthai and Rebecca Kenna. The full field, draw and format will be announced once the top 16 seeds are confirmed.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE click here to book now. There are special offers currently running, including the chance to be at every day of the qualifying event for only £70, or three tickets for the price of two for the first seven days.

Round one pits players ranked 81 to 112 against those seeded 113 to 144

In round two, those 32 winners will face players ranked 49-80.

In round three, those 32 winners will face players ranked 17-48.

In round four, those 32 winners play each other, with the 16 winners going through to the Crucible.

Session times will be 9.30am, 2.30pm and 7.30pm from April 4 to 11 and then 11am and 5pm for the final round on April 12-13.