Players Championship Snooker Quarter Finals: Prize money, how to watch, schedule, O'Sullivan, Higgins

The world's best snooker players are battling it out on the baize in Telford this week.

Shaun Murphy is the Players Championship defending champion.

The Players Championship was first played in 2011 under its original name of the Players Tour Championship and involves the top 16 players in the world.

Last year saw England's Shaun Murphy triumph after a 10-4 win over Ali Carter in the final. It was the first time Murphy had won the title since taking the inaugural event in 2011.

This year's tournament has now reached the Quarter Final stage.

Here's everything you need to know.

When is the Players Championship being played?

The tournament takes place from February 19-25 February at the Telford International Centre. It is the 14th ranking event of the 2023–24 season.

What players qualified?

The following are the top 16 players in the world who will fight it out for the trophy:

1. Judd Trump (England)
2. Ronnie O'Sullivan (England)
3. Zhang Anda (China)
4. Gary Wilson (England)
5. Mark Williams (Wales)
6. Ding Junhui (China)
7. Barry Hawkins (England)
8. Tom Ford (England)
9. Ali Carter (England)
10. Mark Selby (England)
11. John Higgins (Scotland)
12. Mark Allen (Northern Ireland)
13. Hossein Vafaei (Iran)
14. Noppon Saengkham (Thailand)
15. Zhou Yuelong (China)
16. Chris Wakelin (England)

What is the prize money for the Players International?

There is a total prize pot of £385,000, broken up as follows:

• Winner: £125,000
• Runner-up: £50,000
• Semi-final: £30,000
• Quarter-final: £15,000
• Last 16: £10,000
• Highest break: £10,000

Is Ronnie O'Sullivan playing?

After pulling out from the Welsh Open due to 'stage fright', Ronnie O'Sullivan will be taking part in the Players Championship and has reached the Quarter Finals.

What is the draw?

The quarter final draw is as follows:

Judd Trump v Ali Carter (Carter won 6-4)

Mark Allen v Wilson G.

Mark Selby v Ronnie O'Sullivan

Zhang A v John Higgins

When is John Higgins playing?

Scotland's John Higgins will be playing his quarter final at 1pm on Friday, February 23.

When is Ronnie O'Sullivan playing?

Ronnie O'Sullivan's quarter final starts at 7pm on Thursday, February 24.

Who is favourite to win?

Ronnie O'Sullivan is now hot favourite to win with odds of 11/8, followed by Mark Allen (5/1), Ali Carter (11/2) and John Higgins (13/2).

What's the format?

All matches are played as the best of 11 frames (first to six) except the final, which is played as the best of 19 frames (first to ten).

What's the schedule of matches?

• Round one matches will be played from February 19-21.
• The quarter-finals will be played from February 21-23.
• The semi-finals will be played from February 23-24.
• The final will be played on February 25.

Can I watch the Players Championship on television?

You can still catch up on all the action if you can't make it along to Telford. Matches will be broadcast live on STV in Scotland, and will be available to catch up on via the STV Player.