Quick Facts
| Champion | Mark Selby |
| Runner-up | Ding Junhui |
| Venue | Barbican Centre, York, England |
| Dates | 22 November – 4 December 2016 |
| Sponsor | Betway |
The 2016 UK Championship, officially the Betway UK Championship, was a professional ranking snooker tournament held at the Barbican Centre in York, England, from 22 November to 4 December 2016. It served as the tenth ranking event of the 2016/2017 season and drew its usual place near the top of the sport’s prestige ladder, widely regarded as second only to the World Championship at the Crucible. For a full history of the event across all editions, visit the UK Championship tournament page.
Tournament Recap
The Barbican Centre in York has become a genuine home for this tournament over the years, and 2016 was no different in terms of atmosphere. Neil Robertson arrived as the defending champion, having claimed the title the previous year, and the Australian was naturally one of the names on everyone’s lips heading into the first round. The top half of the draw featured a predictably loaded mix of world-class players, and the early rounds delivered the kind of competitive, high-quality snooker that supporters of the event had come to expect from York.
Mark Selby entered the tournament in the form that had made him world number one and the dominant force in snooker during this period. The Leicester potter, known for his fierce grinding style and ability to strangle opponents in safety battles, moved through the draw with purpose. His game is built on making very few mistakes and forcing opponents into errors, and at a venue that rewards patience and discipline over the course of a long week, that approach proved devastatingly effective once again. Selby had already claimed the World Championship earlier in 2016, cementing his status as the best player on the planet at that time, and he arrived in York eager to add another Triple Crown title to his collection.
Ding Junhui reached the final by producing some of the most eye-catching snooker of the entire tournament. The Chinese star has always been a crowd favourite at the UK Championship, a venue where he has historically thrived, and his run to the final in 2016 reminded everyone of just how dangerous he can be when his long potting and break-building are firing on all cylinders. Ding’s ability to build big breaks quickly makes him capable of blowing opponents away, and he did exactly that through several stages of the draw on his way to meeting Selby in the title match.
The final itself went the way of Selby, with the world number one claiming the title and confirming his status as the standout player of his generation at that point in the season. World Snooker’s own announcement declared “Selby Rules UK Again,” pointing to his growing ownership of this event. The victory added the UK Championship crown to his World Championship win from earlier in the year, giving him a remarkable 2016 and strengthening his grip on the top of the world rankings. For Ding, it was another near miss at a title he clearly has the talent to win, and the result only added to the sense that his rivalry with Selby was one of the defining storylines of this era in the sport. The prize fund for the event was substantial, with the winner taking home £170,000 and the runner-up collecting £75,000, figures that reflected the UK Championship’s place as one of the most financially rewarding tournaments outside of the Crucible.
Key Storylines
Selby completing a remarkable 2016
Winning the World Championship and the UK Championship in the same calendar year put Selby’s 2016 into genuinely elite company. His combination of technical precision and mental resilience made him almost impossible to beat over the best-of-eleven and best-of-seventeen frames that define the later rounds of this event. For any fan watching this period of snooker unfold, Selby’s dominance was both impressive and, at times, hypnotic in its methodical quality.
Robertson’s title defence falls short
Neil Robertson had been brilliant in winning the 2015 edition and came to York hoping to defend. The Australian is one of the finest break-builders the sport has ever produced, and his exits from major tournaments are always news. His failure to retain the title in 2016 opened the door for Selby to capitalise, and the defending champion’s tournament exit was one of the talking points from the earlier rounds at the Barbican.
Ding’s perennial challenge
Few players in the modern era have the natural talent that Ding Junhui possesses, and his ability to reach finals consistently at the UK Championship speaks to his love of this tournament. His runs through the draw tend to include some of the highest-quality frames of any given week, and 2016 was no exception. The frustration for Ding and his supporters remains that his final record at major events has not always reflected the brilliance he shows on the way there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2016 UK Championship?
Mark Selby won the 2016 UK Championship, defeating Ding Junhui in the final to claim the title. It was a significant victory that added a UK Championship crown to his World Championship title from earlier in the same year.
Where was the 2016 UK Championship held?
The tournament took place at the Barbican Centre in York, England, which has hosted the UK Championship for a number of consecutive years and has established itself as a well-regarded venue among players and fans alike.
When did the 2016 UK Championship take place?
The event ran from 22 November to 4 December 2016, spanning nearly two weeks across the late autumn schedule and serving as the tenth ranking event of the 2016/2017 snooker season.
Who was the defending champion at the 2016 UK Championship?
Neil Robertson was the defending champion, having won the title at the 2015 edition of the event. The Australian was unable to retain his crown in 2016 as Selby claimed the trophy.
How much prize money did the winner of the 2016 UK Championship receive?
The champion took home £170,000 in prize money, while the runner-up received £75,000. The overall prize fund reflected the UK Championship’s standing as one of the most prestigious and financially rewarding events on the snooker calendar outside of the World Championship.