EPSB Announces Changes to Junior Tournament Eligibility

The English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (EPSB) has today announced changes to its eligibility rules for Junior competitions which will be implemented with immediate effect.

The decision follows recent communication from the European Billiards and Snooker Association (EBSA) and the subsequent publication of its invitation letter for the upcoming European Snooker Championships, which contains significant changes to the EBSA’s eligibility rules going forwards.

New Cut-off Dates

The EBSA has informed national governing bodies that the following cut-off dates will now apply to its junior championships this season:

• U16s Championships – must be 16 or under on 31st August 2026
• U18s Championships – must be 18 or under on 31st August 2026
• U21s Championships – must be 21 or under on 31st August 2026

It is stated by the EBSA that the age limits have been adjusted to support players.

In the circumstances, the EPSB has taken the decision to also implement these rules with immediate effect, to ensure that all players who may be eligible for the 2027 European Championships next year can compete for an EPSB nomination at the event through this year’s Championships.

The EPSB is also satisfied that no player will miss out on being able to compete at one of its tournaments that they otherwise would have been able to compete in under the previous rules – in fact the opposite being true as some players who would have previously been over age, are now eligible to compete at this year’s Championships.

The age cut-offs for this year’s Championships are now therefore as follows:

• EPSB English Under-21 Championship – must be 21 or under on 31 August 2026
• EPSB English Under-18 Championship – must be 18 or under on 31 August 2026
• EPSB English Under-16 Championship – must be 16 or under on 31 August 2026

Entry for all three events, which will take place at the Landywood Snooker Club over the coming months, is open via WPBSA SnookerScores.

Please note that the entry deadline for the Under-21 Championship has been extended until Monday 16 February at 12pm.