Which snooker tournament is played annually at York’s Barbican Centre?

The UK Championship is the major snooker tournament played annually at York’s Barbican Centre.

The event was established in 1977 as the United Kingdom Snooker Championship and is one of snooker’s three Triple Crown tournaments, alongside the World Championship and the Masters. Its modern home has been the Barbican Centre in York, although the tournament has used other venues during its history.

The UK Championship became one of the sport’s most prestigious ranking events. Its roll of honour includes Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby and other leading professionals. The tournament traditionally attracts a strong field because it forms part of the sport’s major winter calendar.

It is sometimes confused with the Masters because both events are associated with the Triple Crown and have been staged in England. The Masters is an invitational tournament, while the UK Championship is a ranking event open through professional qualification and entry structures.