
Finland’s Snooker Craze: Big Names Set to Dazzle in Helsinki!
2025-05-15
Author: John Tan
This weekend, Helsinki is set to become the epicenter of snooker excitement as eight of the world's top players converge for a thrilling festival of the sport! Once overlooked as a snooker hotspot, Finland is now bursting with enthusiasm for top-tier matches.
The spotlight shines on the TAOM Helsinki International Snooker Cup, a thrilling event making its return. Last year, Ali Carter triumphed over Kyren Wilson in a nail-biting final, and this year promises even more drama with snooker legends including Judd Trump, Mark Williams, John Higgins, and Shaun Murphy also in the mix!
Boasting a staggering prize pot of €250,000, anticipation is soaring as ticket sales at the Helsinki Culture Centre promise to be robust, showcasing Finland’s newfound snooker fervor.
Kyren Wilson, who graced last year’s event just after winning the World Championship, proclaimed, 'It’s mega! Around 10% of their population tunes in for snooker, and there’s about 2,000 fans packed in for every session. It’s a fantastic venue!'
Finland’s celebrated player Robin Hull shared insights into the burgeoning popularity of snooker. Traditionally, the viewing audience was starved of live snooker experiences, but a surge in televised matches on free channels has transformed public interest. 'Before, they mainly watched on Eurosport. Now, every major tournament's semi-finals and finals are showcased free on weekends—this has truly made a difference!'
The excitement kicked off with popular exhibitions featuring stars like Mark Williams and Stuart Bingham, which quickly sold out venues. Hull noted, 'That initial exhibition sold out a 200-seat venue! It opened the floodgates for more snooker events, and companies jumped on board to expand the reach of the sport.'
Remarkably, last year’s exhibition with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Gary Wilson drew a staggering 6,000 fans over three nights in Tampere, an atmosphere Hull vividly described as 'unbelievable'—like hosting a rock band!
This weekend, expect heart-pounding matches as the eight talented players engage in a Super Shoot Out on Friday, followed by the riveting International Snooker Cup over the weekend. The buzz surrounding the event raises questions: Can Finland sustain this demand for snooker exhibitions, or is a professional tournament on the horizon?
Hull predicts the next year will be crucial for gauging public interest in longer-format tournaments. 'People have gone berserk over here! But as we rank up demand for a professional level event, we have to consider the financial aspects. It’s all about the numbers—venues, sponsors, the full nine yards!'
Meanwhile, Wilson is optimistic about the possibility of more tournaments across Europe, declaring, 'Finland would be an excellent addition to the roster!'
As Hull enjoys casual play while eyeing a 16th Finnish National Championship this August, the future of snooker in Finland certainly looks bright. With increasing interest and top players performing in local venues, who knows what thrilling developments lie ahead?