Challenger Series 2023

The 2023 Ultimate Pool Challenger Series will feature ten events at five double-header long weekends throughout the year. There will be a maximum of 288 players per event, and only amateur cuesports players are permitted to enter.

2023 Challenger Series events are straight knockout with random draws for each event. At the end of the season, a number of players (amount to be confirmed) will be automatically promoted to the professional ranks via the end-of-season ranking list.

All matches are a race to six frames, although all main arena matches (usually in the latter rounds) will be played with a match-clock.

The Golden Break and Golden Duck rules are not in operation during this year’s Series.

The draws and schedules for each Series weekend will be released on the Live Scoring page around a fortnight before the event begins.

Dates

All Challenger Series events in 2023 will take place at the Grand Hotel in Blackpool

There are five weekend stops, with two Challenger Series events taking place at each one. Events run from Fridays to Sundays. The dates are:

  • Events 1 & 2 | January 20-22
  • Events 3 & 4 | March 24-26
  • Events 5 & 6 | June 16-18
  • Events 7 & 8 | September 15-17
  • Events 9 & 10 | November 17-19

Prize Money

The 2023 Ultimate Pool Challenger Series has a total prize fund of £268,000. The prize money breakdown for each event is as follows:

  • Winner: £7,000
  • Runner-Up: £3,000
  • Semi-Finalist: £1,500
  • Quarter-Finalist: £750
  • Last 16: £500
  • Last 32: £230
  • Last 64: £100

Coverage

The latter rounds of Challenger Series events – where possible – will be played on the main arena tables and shown on ultimatepool.tv and the Ultimate Pool App. If you’re not already a subscriber, you can subscribe here.

Ranking Points Distribution and Rules

For each 2023 Challenger Series event:

  • Winner: 5,000
  • Runner-Up: 3,000
  • Semi-Finalist: 2,000
  • Quarter-Finalist: 1,500
  • Last 16: 1,000
  • Last 32: 500
  • Last 64: 250
  • Last 128: 125
  • Last 256: 75
  • Last 288 (Preliminary Round): 50

For any matches that involve a bye/withdrawal, the ‘beneficiaries’ will earn full prize money, ranking points and frames on offer.

Players have to attend the tournament and complete their matches (unless otherwise authorised by a UPG official) in order gain ranking points.

Players Tied on Points

A) If players are level on the same number of points, positions are determined by whoever won the most points in any single event during the season.

B) If positions can’t be decided by (A) the countback method will be applied.

.1 This means positions will be decided by how many points were earned from the most recently numbered event on this season’s Challenger Series.

.2 Should this still not separate players, you continue this process looking at events working backwards (most recently numbered) throughout the season until players can be separated.

C) If players have an exactly identical ranking points record throughout the entire season, positions will be decided by whoever won the greatest number of frames in their losing match at the most recently numbered event on this year’s Challenger Series.

.1 Should this still not separate players, you continue this process looking at events working backwards (most recently numbered) throughout the season until players can be separated.

D) In the event that players still can’t be separated, the players involved may have to contest a playoff – the details of which would be decided by the Ultimate Pool Group.

Should an issue arise that is not covered above, the decision of the Ultimate Pool Group will be final.

The Ultimate Pool Group has the right to alter the above in exceptional circumstances.

Terms and Conditions for Players

As well as the Ultimate Pool Group's Standard Terms and Conditions that all entrants must abide by, there are additional rules:

It is mandatory for all players competing on the 2023 Ultimate Pool Challenger Series to stay at least two nights (Friday and Saturday) at the Grand Hotel in Blackpool.

You must book and pay for your accommodation in full at least three weeks prior to a Series weekend. Failure to do so will mean you will not be included in the draw; you could be replaced in the event(s) and you won't be eligible for any refund of entry fees.

For all accommodation enquiries, please contact Neil Toms (Head of Tournament Operations) on 07811 111855 or via email on neil.toms@ultimatepoolgroup.com

How to Enter

Please contact Tournament Director Neil Toms on 07811 111855 or neil.toms@ultimatepoolgroup.com