The recent 3 events (Florida Open, Arizona Open nd Phoenix Open) leading up to the US Open this year were absolutely amazing. Fans like me were very happy, the whole month of high-level pro pool, plus decent action off the TV. This is what Matchroom needs to do through out the year, consistently.
Those pre-major events are smaller than the majors but still big enough to draw all the pros from around the world. It's good for the local pool rooms to get their name out and promote themselves, good for local sponsors and players, and good for hotels and local businesses. It could basically become a small tour with multiple stops leading up to the US Open.
Nobody wants to fly 10K miles and 30 hours traveling from Asia and spend $3000 just to play one event and be out then go home, and vice versa, US to Asia, Europe - Asia etc.. Two or Three decent-size events leading into a major event? Perfect. It makes sense. Players can represent themselves, make their sponsors proud, and potentially attract more sponsorship money.
Matchroom should try to organize these smaller events leading up to the major events, with the stops as close together geographically as possible. Make a TV series out of these tour each quarter, sell to ESPN or Netflix or Youtube etc so people can watch, get more stuff out of the table like players life etc... plenty of good stories than bad stories lol sponsors will notice, that's how Soccer and Tennis get big. Get the calendar filled up 24 months in advance.
These are just Matchroom MNT hosted events, imagine how many other events that local and small organizations can do as well.
Leave the rest of the calendar open for Predator, WPA, and smaller organizations/local promoters to host their own Wnt ranking tournaments.
I think this would create a much better ecosystem. Instead of players flying halfway around the world for one event, you create regional mini-tours that build momentum toward the major events. More tournaments, more local exposure, more sponsors, more fans, more action for the players, and more reasons for the pros to stay in the region longer.
If you can't do it Matchroom, give up let someone else do it.
Those pre-major events are smaller than the majors but still big enough to draw all the pros from around the world. It's good for the local pool rooms to get their name out and promote themselves, good for local sponsors and players, and good for hotels and local businesses. It could basically become a small tour with multiple stops leading up to the US Open.
Nobody wants to fly 10K miles and 30 hours traveling from Asia and spend $3000 just to play one event and be out then go home, and vice versa, US to Asia, Europe - Asia etc.. Two or Three decent-size events leading into a major event? Perfect. It makes sense. Players can represent themselves, make their sponsors proud, and potentially attract more sponsorship money.
Matchroom should try to organize these smaller events leading up to the major events, with the stops as close together geographically as possible. Make a TV series out of these tour each quarter, sell to ESPN or Netflix or Youtube etc so people can watch, get more stuff out of the table like players life etc... plenty of good stories than bad stories lol sponsors will notice, that's how Soccer and Tennis get big. Get the calendar filled up 24 months in advance.
First Quarter Tour — Main Spring Tour
- WNT-hosted major European Open — March: Need 2–3 smaller events in nearby cities or countries leading up to this major WNT-hosted European Open.
- WNT-hosted invitational event: Premier League Pool.
Second Quarter — Main Summer Tour
- WNT-hosted major - World Pool Championship — May/June: This needs to be in the UK or US for now. Once it gets bigger, it could move to Asia or where else. Ideally, that Asian county government should be involved to help turn it into a travel destination. It needs to be in May/June when the soccer season has ended. Soccer is HUGE in Asia and Europe, and this is also summer, so families, kids, and fans can travel.
- WNT-hosted major - UK Open: Also need a few smaller events leading up to this.
- WNT-hosted Invitational - World Pool Masters
Third Quarter — Main Fall/Autumn Tour
- WNT-hosted major: US Open — August/September: Keep doing what they are doing with this route. West Coast tour, East Coast tour, or Southeast tour leading up to the US Open.
- WNT-hosted Invitational: World Cup of Pool (Scotch Doubles)
Last Quarter — Main Winter Tour
- WNT-hosted mojor: Asian Open — October/November: Do it in Vietnam, the Philippines, or Taiwan. Call it the Asia Open. Also need 2–3 smaller events leading up to it, either in the same country or in another nearby Asian country that isn't hosting the Asia Open that year.
- WNT-hosted Invitational — Reyes Cup
- WNT-hosted Invitational — Mosconi Cup
These are just Matchroom MNT hosted events, imagine how many other events that local and small organizations can do as well.
Leave the rest of the calendar open for Predator, WPA, and smaller organizations/local promoters to host their own Wnt ranking tournaments.
I think this would create a much better ecosystem. Instead of players flying halfway around the world for one event, you create regional mini-tours that build momentum toward the major events. More tournaments, more local exposure, more sponsors, more fans, more action for the players, and more reasons for the pros to stay in the region longer.
If you can't do it Matchroom, give up let someone else do it.