International Championship: Dates, schedule, players, history & more

Snooker's International Championship made a welcome return to the schedule last year and is set to be staged in Nanjing, China in 2024 as Zhang Anda defends the title.

The International Championship initially ran from 2012 to 2014 in Chengdu, then from 2015 to 2019 in Daqing.

After a break the tournament returned to the calendar and was staged in Tianjin City for the first time in 2023, when China's Zhang delighted the home fans, beating Tom Ford 10-6 in the final to capture his first ranking title.

Now it has another new home in Nanjing, Eastern China for the 10th renewal.

 International Championship dates

The International Championship is set to take place from Sunday 3rd November until Sunday 10th November, 2024.

International Championship times

The morning sessions at the International Championship will begin at 01:30 GMT each day. Afternoon sessions begin at 06:00 GMT and the evening sessions will commence from 11:30 GMT.

The final on Sunday 10th November will consist of two sessions, beginning at 06:00 GMT and 11:30 GMT.

International Championship venue

The 2024 International Championship is being played at the SNCNFC in Nanjing, China. This is the first time this venue has hosted the tournament.

Who is playing in the International Championship?

China's Zhang is seeded first and will begin his title defence against Ishpreet Singh Chadha.

World champion Kyren Wilson is in the field, as is world number one Judd Trump. Big names such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, Shaun Murphy, John Higgins and Mark Williams are also all in the draw.

Joining Anda as leading contenders on home soil will be the likes of Ding Junhui, Si Jiahui and Pang Junxu.

How many times has the International Championship taken place?

The tournament was inaugurated in 2012 when Trump beat Robertson 10-8 in the decider. It ran for eight successive years until 2019, but was not held from 2020-2022 owing to the pandemic.

The tournament returned in 2023 when Zhang joined compatriot Ding (2013) in becoming the second Chinese player to take the title.

The 2024 renewal will be the 10th staging of the International Championship.

International Championship history

Trump and Selby have both won this tournament twice. The Ace in the Pack triumphed in 2012 and again in 2019, defeating Shaun Murphy 10-3 in the final.

Selby is the only back-to-back winner, the Jester defeating Ding 10-1 in 2016 and Allen 10-7 in 2017.

The other International Championship winners are Ricky Walden (2014), John Higgins (2015) and Allen (2018).

Northern Ireland's Allen has contested three finals, more than any other player.