Eight of snooker’s top stars have had their first round matches scheduled for the Ladbrokes Players Championship which takes place in Llandudno later this month.

The tournament runs from March 19 to 25 at Venue Cymru in North Wales and features the top 16 players on this season’s one-year ranking list. The cut off point falls after the Gibraltar Open which finishes on Sunday March 11.

The top eight on the list are already sure of qualifying and their opening matches will take place as follows:

Monday March 19

7pm
Former World Champion SHAUN MURPHY v opponent
13-time ranking event winner DING JUNHUI v opponent

Tuesday March 20

1pm
Current World Champion and world number one MARK SELBY v opponent
Two-time World Champion MARK WILLIAMS v opponent

7pm
Five-time World Champion RONNIE O’SULLIVAN v opponent
China Championship winner LUCA BRECEL v opponent

Wednesday March 21
1pm
Four-time World Champion JOHN HIGGINS v opponent
Eight-time ranking event winner and defending champion JUDD TRUMP v opponent

The full draw and format will be released once the complete line up of 16 players is known, after the Gibraltar Open.

The ITV4-televised world ranking tournament features a top prize of £125,000 and a total prize fund of £380,000. It’s a fantastic chance for fans to see the sport’s biggest names competing for a coveted title.

Tickets, starting at just £15, are still available although certain sessions are expected to sell out fast now the format has been released.