For the first time, the PBA Tour billiards tournament is being held in Vietnam under the name PBA LPBA SY Bazzar Hanoi Open 2024. Photo:PBA

Hanoi has been selected as the destination for the PBA Tour's global circuit, marking a significant milestone in the world of three-cushion billiards. The PBA - LPBA SY Bazzar Hanoi Open 2024, part of the Professional Billiards Association (PBA) Tour, is set to take place from August 19 to 26 at the Grand Plaza Hotel.

Now in its sixth season, the PBA Tour is renowned for its high standards in professional three-cushion billiards, boasting top-tier competition, exemplary organization, and substantial prize money. This year, the tour makes its first foray outside of South Korea, choosing Vietnam—a rapidly emerging powerhouse in the billiards scene—as its first international stop. According to PBA TV (South Korea), 60% of the channel's foreign viewers are from Vietnam, underscoring the country's growing passion for the sport.

The PBA - LPBA SY Bazzar Hanoi Open 2024 has attracted 192 elite players, including 126 men and 64 women, from countries such as South Korea, Japan, Turkey, Belgium, and Spain. Vietnam will be represented by 27 male players.

Speaking at the press conference, Lee Hee Jin, Vice President of the Korean Professional Billiards Association, praised Vietnam as a "newly rising star" in three-cushion billiards, with several world-class players. He highlighted that Vietnam's three-cushion billiards market is now the second largest globally, only trailing South Korea, making it a natural choice for the first stop on the PBA Tour's global expansion. The organizers anticipate that the tournament will deliver thrilling experiences for both audiences and fans.

The tournament's prize pool is impressive, with the men's PBA division offering a total of 250 million Won (US$188.000), including 100 million Won ($75,200) for the champion. The women's LPBA division features a 100 million Won ($75,200) prize pool, with 40 million Won ($30.000) awarded to the winner.

The PBA has also announced plans to host three additional tournaments in Vietnam, with events scheduled in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.