Ken Doherty set for historic appearance as snooker Shoot Out returns to Blackpool with Shaun Murphy celebrating second anniversary of iconic 147

React to this story

The Shoot Out is set to welcome some of the sport's heavyweight hitters when it returns to the Blackpool Tower Circus next month. The rapid one-frame ranking event will see world champion Zhao Xintong and new International Championship winner Wu Yize compete alongside major tournament winners Shaun Murphy, Luca Brecel, Mark Allen, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Ali Carter and Stuart Bingham.

'Phenomenal achievement' - Murphy makes first maximum 147 break at Shoot Out

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ken Doherty is set to become the sole survivor from the original Shoot Out in 1990 when the chaotic competition returns to its spiritual home in Blackpool after a 10-year absence next month.

The 1997 world champion will face Mateusz Baranowski of Poland in the first round of the quickfire tournament, which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ between December 10 and 13, as Tom Ford defends the title.

Doherty, who takes to the table on the opening afternoon, is the only player in the field who was part of the first tournament in Stoke 35 years ago, which saw Darren Morgan defeat Mike Hallett 2-1 in the final.

9Club Shoot Out

'A moment I will cherish' - Burden's celebration of the year sees him join elite band of champions

15/12/2025 at 10:28

The Irish professional withdrew from last year's tournament in Leicester, the only time he has missed the raucous one-frame contests, but will join an array of heavy hitters in the chase for the £50,000 first prize.

It was Hallett who edged Doherty in the last 16 in September 1990 before the tournament disappeared from the calendar until it was revived in 2011 with Nigel Bond claiming the title against Robert Milkins at Blackpool's Tower Circus.

Jimmy White, who will meet Oliver Brown in the first round at 19:00 (UK time) on Thursday, December 11, was forced to withdraw from the maiden staging of the event after breaking his cue.

The event has been hosted by Reading, Watford, Milton Keynes, Leicester and Swansea over the past decade, with nobody winning the title more than once due to the amount of good fortune involved in a random time-restricted frame.

World champion Zhao Xintong is also in the 128-player field, and will face Ross Muir in his tournament opener at 13:00 on the same day as new International Championship winner Wu Yize takes on Marco Fu in the afternoon session.

Shaun Murphy produced the only maximum in the history of the competition against Bulcsu Revesz in the first round of the tournament on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at the Swansea Arena.

It was regarded as one of the greatest 147s of all time, achieved under the pressurised confines of a shot clock which restricts competitors to only 15 seconds for the first five minutes of the frame, before being reduced to 10 seconds for the second half of the frame.

Ford makes winning break in final minute to beat Graham for Snooker Shoot Out glory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Murphy takes on Patrick Whelan in his first match at 19:00 on Wednesday, 10 December, with 2023 winner Mark Allen up against three-time women's world champion Ng On Yee a day later.

Tom Ford defends the title following his narrow final 31-28 victory over Liam Graham last season and faces Martin O'Donnell in his first match on the opening day.

Ranking event winners Luca Brecel, Ali Carter, Stuart Bingham, Gary Wilson, Chris Wakelin and Stephen Maguire are also in the starting line-up.

- - -

Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Shoot Out, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

9Club Shoot Out

'All bets are off' - Slessor's Shoot Out error that might have earned victory in 'normal snooker'

13/12/2025 at 22:40

9Club Shoot Out

How a ‘sickening’ blunder ended Day’s Shoot Out hopes in bizarre fashion

13/12/2025 at 18:31