The 2024 Ultimate Pool Challenger Series will feature a 2 Tier system for the first time. There will be 192 players in Tier 1 and 160 Players in Tier 2. Each Tier will have 2 events each weekend. There will be a maximum of 352 players in total over the weekend and only amateur cuesports players are permitted to enter.
2024 Challenger Series events are straight knockout with random draws for each event. At the end of the season, 8 players from Tier 1 will be promoted to the Professional Ranks for 2025. The bottom 8 players from Tier 1 will be relegated to Tier 2 and the top 8 players from Tier 2 will be promoted to Tier 1.
All matches are a race to six frames, although all main arena matches (usually in the latter rounds) will be played with a match-clock.
The Golden Break and Golden Duck rules are not in operation during this year’s Series.
The draws and schedules for each Series weekend will be released on the Live Scoring page around a fortnight before the event begins.
Dates
All Challenger Series events in 2024 will take place at the Grand Hotel in Blackpool
There are five weekend stops, with two Challenger Series events taking place at each one. Events run from Fridays to Sundays. The dates are:
- Events 1 & 2 | February 16-18
- Events 3 & 4 | April 5-7
- Events 5 & 6 | June 14-16
- Events 7 & 8 | September 20-22
- Events 9 & 10 | November 22-24
Prize Money
Tier 1 Prize Fund:
- Winner: £5,000
- Runner-Up: £2,400
- Semi-Finalist: £1,250
- Quarter-Finalist: £600
- Last 16: £300
- Last 32: £150
- The top 8 players will have £1,000.00 credit which will be paid towards their entry into the Pro Ranks for 2025. There is no cash substitute and the credit is only available if you decide to take pro status
Tier 2 Prize Fund:
- Winner: £2,500
- Runner-Up: £1,200
- Semi-Finalist: £700
- Quarter-Finalist: £300
- Last 16: £200
- Last 32: £100
Coverage
The latter rounds of Challenger Series events – where possible – will be played on the main arena tables and shown on ultimatepool.tv and the Ultimate Pool App.
Ranking Points Distribution and Rules
For each 2024 Challenger Series event:
- Winner: 5,000
- Runner-Up: 3,000
- Semi-Finalist: 2,000
- Quarter-Finalist: 1,500
- Last 16: 1,000
- Last 32: 500
- Last 64: 250
- Last 128: 125
- Last 256: 75
For any matches that involve a bye/withdrawal, the ‘beneficiaries’ will earn full prize money, ranking points and frames on offer.
Players have to attend the tournament and complete their matches (unless otherwise authorised by a UPG official) in order gain ranking points.
Players Tied on Points
A) If players are level on the same number of points, positions are determined by whoever won the most points in any single event during the season.
B) If positions can’t be decided by (A) the countback method will be applied.
.1 This means positions will be decided by how many points were earned from the most recently numbered event on this season’s Challenger Series.
.2 Should this still not separate players, you continue this process looking at events working backwards (most recently numbered) throughout the season until players can be separated.
C) If players have an exactly identical ranking points record throughout the entire season, positions will be decided by whoever won the greatest number of frames in their losing match at the most recently numbered event on this year’s Challenger Series.
.1 Should this still not separate players, you continue this process looking at events working backwards (most recently numbered) throughout the season until players can be separated.
D) In the event that players still can’t be separated, the players involved may have to contest a playoff – the details of which would be decided by the Ultimate Pool Group.
Should an issue arise that is not covered above, the decision of the Ultimate Pool Group will be final.
The Ultimate Pool Group has the right to alter the above in exceptional circumstances.
Terms and Conditions for Players
As well as the Ultimate Pool Group's Standard Terms and Conditions that all entrants must abide by, there are additional rules:
It is mandatory for all players competing on the 2024 Ultimate Pool Challenger Series to stay at least two nights (Friday and Saturday) at the Grand Hotel in Blackpool.
You must book and pay for your accommodation in full at least three weeks prior to a Series weekend. Failure to do so will mean you will not be included in the draw; you could be replaced in the event(s) and you won't be eligible for any refund of entry fees.
For all accommodation enquiries, please contact Neil Toms (Head of Tournament Operations) on 07811 111855 or via email on neil.toms@ultimatepoolgroup.com
How to Enter
Please contact Tournament Director Neil Toms on 07811 111855 or neil.toms@ultimatepoolgroup.com
