2023 Mosconi Cup Captains Revealed - Alison Chang

Ralph Eckert and Jeremy Jones will lead Team Europe and USA respectively for the 2023 Mosconi Cup, the 30th anniversary edition, at Alexandra Palace, London from December 6-9 live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, and networks worldwide.

World-renowned instructor Eckert will follow in the footsteps of compatriot Oliver Ortmann in captaining Team Europe when the trans-Atlantic tussle gets underway in London later this year and will bring a wealth of experience that has seen him at the top level of the game since 1982.

Team Europe go into the Mosconi Cup in red-hot form with the side undefeated for the last three editions of the cup having tasted victory in Las Vegas last December, 11-7 as Joshua Filler picked up the Cuetec MVP crown in an electric four days of action that saw the USA push their European counterparts all the way.

Eckert is aware of the weight of responsibility on his shoulders: “I am overwhelmed. It’s a very big honour. You can be captain of a local team or squad or national team but to be captain of a whole continent is something special. The atmosphere and the flashing lights of the Mosconi Cup is special. It’s an honour to follow in the footsteps of Oliver.”

“There certainly be some pressure but in general, I enjoy that. I am motivated by that pressure. It doesn’t matter which topic it is, if there is some pressure, the recipe is still the same. We have to prepare and be optimistic and positive. We have to be calm and relaxed to deal with that we need to.”

“I will see how the two other automatic spots fill out then I will consider our wild cards. It’s a team event, you have to have an experienced player, someone young up and coming, someone who takes the fun part, and someone who brings back together with he same mission. They’re opponents for most of the week so you have to remember to have the same goal during the Mosconi Cup.”

“I’m up for it. I do not worry too much.” – Ralph Eckert

Eckert‘s team will be made up of three automatic selections coming from the World Nineball Tour Rankings with WNT number one Francisco Sanchez Ruiz already locking down the first spot in the side off the back of a year that has seen the Spaniard snap off the World Pool Championship title in February.

A further automatic selection will follow after the US Open Pool Championship at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City from September 25-30 before one final automatic slot is confirmed after the inaugural Asian Open Pool Championship from 10-15 October in Hanoi City, Vietnam. The final two players for both Europe and the USA will be captain’s wild cards meaning there is still a lot to play for on both sides.

Jones returns as the USA captain for a fourth year having tasted victory in 2019 as vice-captain. Double J is a heavyweight of the game with a knowledge bank of the USA pool scene like very few making him the standout candidate to strike a tune out of his side having run Team Europe so close in the last two editions of the cup.

With the European Open Championship still ongoing, it’s not yet known who will take the first automatic spot on Team Europe with Skyler Woodward the red hot favourite. Mosconi Cup veteran Shane Van Boening must reach the final stages to prevent Woodward from qualifying at the end of this week.”

“We have to keep the guys positive. They realise they were in a position to win the last two years. We need to feed off the positive and realise where we went wrong and I include myself in that. Our team is there to fight. That’s our biggest asset. We will keep reminding them of that. We’re there to go toe to toe with them. It’s going to be the best Mosconi Cup yet, we go there (London) expecting a victory.”

Jones is fully aware that their Mosconi Cup woes must end in London: “It feels really good. It’s something I really wanted to do again. I want to get better at what I’ve done over the last few years. I was super proud of my team last year. They competed really well and stuck to most of the information we went over. It was a great week and we were in a position to win that cup but a few things got away. We have to look at that though and move forward. I’ve learned a lot.”

“Its easy to get very involved and let the boil blood too quickly and easily. You have to stay in the moment. All those cliches stick around for a reason. We have to keep the team and me in the moment and slow things down. We need to let the chips fall where they may. I’ve looked at a lot of things already in anticipation of being captain again.

We have to keep the team and me in the moment and slow things down. – Jeremy Jones

The stakes have never been higher for the Mosconi Cup with the prize fund ramped up by 30% with all members of the winning side set to take home $40,000 and runner-ups taking $20,000 each. Last year, the crowd in Las Vegas set the barometer for the atmosphere with levels expected to ramp up even further thanks to Matchroom’s plans to create a 360 arena in London for the first time as the USA look to win on European waters for the first time since 2018.

There are limited tickets available from £50 per day with a whole host of options available including VIP and following success in the USA, both Gold Sofas and VIP Sofas tickets offering fans the experience of a lifetime from behind the Team Europe and USA benches. VIP ticket holders will get access to the Mosconi Cup VIP lounge before play where they will be treated to a two-course buffet dinner along with unlimited drinks for four hours. Once in the arena, VIP holders will get a premium feel with a padded seat for the extra comfort.

Group Booking Discount – 10 or more people

Receive 10% off when purchasing 10 or more Gold and Silver tickets per session. Maximum 20 tickets. Book online or call Group Bookings on 0800 358 0058

Price Types

VIP Hospitality – VIP Hospitality includes the below – £250 a day
VIP Sofa – Includes VIP Hospitality package plus a sofa seat behind team benches – £350 a day
VIP Table – Includes VIP Hospitality package and front row seat with a table – £300 a day
Gold Sofa – Comfiest seat in the house like you’re watching from home – does not include hospitality – £165 a day
Gold – £65 a day
Silver – £50 a day

VIP INCLUDES

Get closer to the action with a premium padded seat for extra comfort.
Glass of Prosecco on arrival
Enjoy a two-course course buffet dinner in the Mosconi Cup VIP Lounge before play
Unlimited wines, beers, and soft drinks for 4 hours – cut off at the start of the last rack.