UK Championship Qualifiers 2022

The 2022 UK Championship (officially the 2022 Cazoo UK Championship) was a professional snooker tournament that took place from 12 to 20 November 2022 at the York Barbican in York, England. The fifth ranking event and first Triple Crown event of the 2022–23 snooker season, the tournament was the 46th edition of the UK Championship, which was first held in 1977. Organised by the World Snooker Tour and sponsored by car retail company Cazoo, the event was broadcast domestically by the BBC and Eurosport. The winner received £250,000 from a total prize fund of £1,205,000.

The tournament organisers changed the format for the 2022 event, replacing the flat-128 draw that had been used from 2013 to 2021 with a format that closely resembled that of the World Snooker Championship. The top 16 players in the world rankings were seeded through to the last-32 stage, where they were joined by 16 qualifiers from a 128-player qualifying tournament that took place from 5 to 10 November at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. Aged 60, Jimmy White became the oldest player to qualify for the tournament's final stages since 63-year-old Eddie Charlton in 1993.

The defending champion was Zhao Xintong, who defeated Luca Brecel 10–5 in the final of the 2021 event. Zhao lost 2–6 in the first round to Sam Craigie. Mark Allen reached his third UK Championship final, having been runner-up in 2011 and 2018, where he faced three-time winner Ding Junhui, who reached his first ranking final in three years. Allen trailed in every match he played in the tournament, and fell 1–6 behind in the final, but he won nine of the last ten frames to clinch a 10–7 victory. He became the second Northern Irish player to win the UK Championship, after Alex Higgins in 1983; his comeback from 1–6 behind saw him overcome the largest deficit in a UK Championship final since Higgins came from 0–7 behind to defeat Steve Davis 16–15 in that year. It was Allen's eighth ranking title and second Triple Crown title, following his win at the 2018 Masters. Cao Yupeng made the tournament's highest break of 144 in his second-round qualifying match against Callum Beresford.

**UK Championship Qualifiers 2022 - Tournament Description**

The UK Championship Qualifiers 2022 is a prestigious snooker event that serves as the gateway for aspiring players to compete in one of the sport's most celebrated tournaments. Taking place in the heart of the UK, this qualifying event showcases a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging talents, all vying for a coveted spot in the main draw of the UK Championship.

Spanning several days of intense competition, the qualifiers feature a knockout format, where players face off in best-of-11 frame matches. The atmosphere is electric, with fans and supporters rallying behind their favorite competitors as they battle for glory and the chance to make their mark on the snooker world.

The tournament not only highlights the skill and precision of the players but also serves as a platform for dramatic upsets and thrilling performances. With a rich history and a reputation for producing future stars, the UK Championship Qualifiers 2022 promises to deliver high-stakes drama and unforgettable moments.

As the players navigate through the rounds, the excitement builds, culminating in a final showdown where the last few competitors will earn their place in the prestigious UK Championship. Whether you're a die-hard snooker fan or a newcomer to the sport, the UK Championship Qualifiers 2022 is an event not to be missed, showcasing the very best of snooker talent and the relentless pursuit of excellence.