LLANDUDNO, Wales — The 2024 Welsh Open is underway, but the tournament's location has once again sparked debate, with Welsh snooker star Jackson Page stating unequivocally that the event "should be in south Wales, 100%."
The world ranking event, which celebrates Wales's rich snooker heritage, is being held at Venue Cymru in the north Wales coastal town of Llandudno for the third consecutive year. This persistent northern hosting has drawn criticism from Page, a 22-year-old from Ebbw Vale, who argues the tournament is missing its natural and logistical home.
A Question of Geography and Heritage
Page's comments tap into a long-standing tension regarding the event's placement. While World Snooker Tour (WST) officials praise Llandudno's facilities and operational success, many players and fans from the sport's traditional heartlands feel disconnected. The snooker hotbeds of Wales are overwhelmingly concentrated in the southern valleys, towns like Page's own Ebbw Vale, as well as Cardiff, Newport, and the former mining communities that produced legends like Ray Reardon, Terry Griffiths, and Mark Williams.
In a recent interview, Page laid out his case plainly: "It's the Welsh Open, it should be in Wales. For me, south Wales is Wales. It should be in Cardiff or somewhere like that. I think it's a bit of a joke, to be honest with you. It's in north Wales, which isn't really Wales for me. It should be in south Wales, 100%."
His blunt assessment, while controversial to some in the north, highlights a perceived cultural and practical divide. The journey from Cardiff to Llandudno is over 200 miles and can take more than four hours by car, a significant barrier for the sport's core fanbase. Page emphasized the logistical challenge for supporters, stating, "All the snooker fans are in south Wales. They can't get up there."
The Promoter's Perspective
World Snooker Tour has consistently defended the choice of Llandudno, citing the high quality of the venue and its proven track record of hosting successful events. A WST spokesperson highlighted key operational advantages that have cemented the location:
- Venue Quality: Venue Cymru offers modern facilities, excellent playing conditions, and reliable infrastructure that meet broadcast and fan experience standards.
- Commercial Viability: The event has secured stable sponsorship and local support in Llandudno, which is not always guaranteed elsewhere.
- Calendar Logistics: The scheduling of the Welsh Open within a packed snooker calendar requires a venue with guaranteed availability, which Venue Cymru has provided.
Furthermore, proponents argue that hosting the event in north Wales helps promote the sport across the entire nation, rather than centralizing it in the south. They point to strong local attendance and the scenic appeal of Llandudno as positives for the tournament's image.
A History of Nomadic Hosting
The Welsh Open has a peripatetic history since its inception in 1992, which adds context to the current debate. The tournament has been staged in multiple locations, including:
- Newport: The event's longest and most iconic home, hosted at the Newport Centre for many years and closely associated with its peak popularity.
- Cardiff: Briefly moved to the Motorpoint Arena (then CIA) in the capital city.
- South West England: In a move that caused particular consternation, the tournament was held in Plymouth, England, for two years.
This history makes the current three-year stint in Llandudno seem less anomalous but no less frustrating for southern purists. The move to Plymouth was widely criticized as undermining the event's national identity, a sentiment that now fuels the argument for a definitive return to a major south Wales venue.
The Case for Cardiff
When discussing a potential south Wales host, Cardiff is the most frequently cited candidate. The capital city boasts the 7,500-capacity Motorpoint Arena, a venue used for other major sporting events and concerts. Advocates argue that a Cardiff-based Welsh Open could:
- Tap into a larger, more accessible population centre.
- Regenerate the event's atmosphere, potentially increasing ticket sales and fan engagement.
- Better honour the legacy of Welsh snooker by placing its premier event in the nation's sporting and cultural hub.
However, obstacles remain. Securing dates in a major city arena is complex and expensive, and the WST would need assurances on commercial support. The success in Llandudno, while geographically contentious, has provided operational stability the tour values highly.
Player and Fan Sentiment
Page is not alone in his views. While many players are diplomatic, focusing on the table regardless of location, several Welsh players and commentators have expressed a desire for the tournament to return south. The sentiment is even stronger among fans on social media and snooker forums, where the distance and cost of travel to Llandudno are frequent complaints.
The debate also touches on the identity of the tournament itself. For an event that trades on national pride, the question of where "Welsh" snooker is most authentically represented is potent. As Page succinctly put it, the current situation feels disconnected from the sport's roots, where "all the snooker clubs are in south Wales."
Looking to the Future
The WST's contract with Venue Cymru is understood to be ongoing, suggesting Llandudno will remain the home of the Welsh Open in the immediate future. The organization has stated it is "always reviewing venues" but remains committed to delivering a "world-class event" in Llandudno.
Nevertheless, the vocal criticism from a homegrown talent like Jackson Page adds significant weight to the argument for change. His comments have ignited a public conversation that goes beyond mere logistics, delving into culture, accessibility, and the soul of Welsh snooker. The challenge for the WST will be balancing the undeniable operational success in north Wales with the growing call to bring its national open back to the communities that feel most passionately about it.
For now, the balls will roll in Llandudno. But with each passing year the tournament spends in the north, the question from the south grows louder: when will the Welsh Open truly come home? As Page's emphatic stance shows, for many in the sport's heartland, the answer cannot come soon enough.
