European Open Pool Championship and Premier League Pool Set for a Thrilling Debut in Sarajevo, March 2025
The World Nineball Tour is proud to announce the debut of two premier events in Bosnia & Herzegovina, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton and Hills Hotel Sarajevo.
The European Open Pool Championship will take place from 11-16 March, live on Sky Sports, Viaplay, and WNT TV, followed by Premier League Pool from 20-27 March. Both events will be held in the breathtaking city of Sarajevo for the first time, marking an exciting new chapter for the World Nineball Tour.
SPECTATOR TICKETS FOR BOTH EVENTS ON SALE SOON
The full broadcast list for both events will be announced soon, ensuring fans worldwide won’t miss a moment of the action.
The first Matchroom Major of 2025, the European Open Pool Championship, will feature a 256-player field, including the top 128 professionals from the World Nineball Tour, such as Jayson Shaw, Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, Ko Ping Chung, and Ko Pin Yi. Players from around the world will compete for a $200,000 prize fund, with the champion set to claim an increased top prize of $40,000.
Following the European Open, Premier League Pool will bring its exhilarating round-robin format to Sarajevo for the first time. 16 of the world’s best players will compete in an intense, fast-paced showdown of 183 matches across 144 live hours, designed to deliver non-stop world-class Nineball.
A city rich in history and culture, Sarajevo is fast becoming a key destination for professional pool. With a growing fanbase and increasing local support for the sport, Bosnia & Herzegovina is the perfect new home for these prestigious tournaments.
Minister of Culture & Sports of Sarajevo Canton, Kenan Magoda stated: “I am proud that Sarajevo will host this tournament for the first time, welcoming the world’s best players and showcasing the quality of this competition. This is a major step forward for our city and for Sanjin’s career, allowing him to compete at the highest level in front of his home crowd. The Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton is pleased to support both Sanjin and Matchroom in bringing this elite event to Sarajevo. I commend Matchroom and Emily Frazer for their dedication in making it happen.”
One of the highlights of the European Open Pool Championship will be the presence of hometown favourite Sanjin Pehlivanovic, currently ranked 39th on the World Nineball Tour, who will have the opportunity to compete on home soil in a Matchroom Major for the first time.
Pehlivanovic shared his excitement: “The first thing that comes to mind is that I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but I can’t deny that winning this event in my home city would be incredible. Playing in front of my home crowd is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m fully focused on delivering my best performance to hopefully bring the European crown home.”
The Hills Hotel Sarajevo provides the ideal setting for both the European Open Pool Championship and Premier League Pool, offering a prime location near the airport, top-class facilities, and excellent on-site amenities for both players and fans.
General Manager of Hills Hotel Sarajevo, Senad Halilovic, stated: “We are thrilled to host these two prestigious events at Hills Hotel Sarajevo. Our aim is to provide the ultimate setting for world-class sports, bringing top-tier competition to both our hotel and the vibrant city of Sarajevo. We look forward to showcasing the excitement of these events to the passionate local and international pool community.”
CEO of Matchroom Multi Sport, Emily Frazer commented: “The European Open has rapidly become one of the premier events on the World Nineball Tour, and we’re thrilled to bring it to the stunning city of Sarajevo. Expanding into Bosnia & Herzegovina marks a significant step in our commitment to growing the sport globally and introducing Nineball to new audiences. With both the European Open and Premier League Pool taking centre stage this March, Sarajevo will become a true hotspot for world-class pool, and we can’t wait to experience the passion and energy of the fans. Thank you to our partners the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton and Hills Hotel Sarajevo for helping us put up these two spectacular events.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness two world-class Nineball tournaments in Sarajevo! Tickets will be available soon—secure your spot early and experience the action live.