Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has hailed the success of the Northern Ireland Open snooker tournament.
The Minister was speaking after he visited the event at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
He said: “Snooker has a rich heritage in Northern Ireland and this world ranking event staged in Belfast attracts top players, officials and fans alike, bringing many visitors to the city each year. “The Waterfront Hall has proved to be a fantastic arena for snooker. It has firmly established itself as one of the premier venues in the sport.
“I pay tribute to World Snooker Tour and ICC Belfast for the hard work that goes into staging the event each year and I hope it will continue for many years to come.”
Jason Ferguson, Chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association and a director of World Snooker Tour, said:
“Everyone connected with our sport, including the players, officials and fans, recognise the Waterfront Hall as one of the best venues on our global circuit. The atmosphere in the arena is unique and the backstage facilities are superb. Belfast is a fantastic city and we look forward to staging our event here for many years to come.”
Rob McConnell, CEO of ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open back to the Waterfront Hall and to play our part in hosting one of the most prestigious events on the World Snooker Tour calendar.
“The tournament has become a firm fixture in Belfast’s sporting calendar,
especially with Belfast having been named the official European City of Sport
2026, attracting world-class talent and fans from across the globe, while
showcasing the city as a leading destination for major international events.
“We are delighted, having announced a new agreement with World Snooker Tour late last year, that Waterfront Hall will continue to host the tournament until at least 2029.
We look forward to working alongside World Snooker Tour to deliver an exceptional experience for players and spectators alike and building on the event’s continued success welcoming snooker fans to Belfast for many years to come.”
