Let’s start with Ronnie … although the official Championship League Snooker site still shows Ronnie in Group 1 draw, the WST score system now has him replaced by Michael Holt. So, it’s 99,99% certain that he has withdrawn from the event, which, TBH, isn’t a big surprise.
Another poster boy gone…
Now, regarding the qualifiers…
Although I didn’t see any reaction on social media to the post I shared this morning regarding the UK Championship qualifiers, they deemed it necessary to clarify things by putting this on their site:
Come To Our Qualifying Events This Season!
During the 2023/24 season, the following qualifying events will be open to fans:
International Championship Qualifiers, September 18-23, Sheffield
BetVictor Northern Ireland Open Qualifiers, October 17-20, Sheffield
UK Championship Qualifiers, November 18-23, Leicester Morningside Arena
BetVictor German Masters Qualifiers, December 18-22, Sheffield
BetVictor Welsh Open Qualifiers and Six Red World Championship Qualifiers, January 22-28, Barnsley
Cazoo World Championship Qualifiers, April 8-17, SheffieldNearer the time of each event, details will be announced on how to buy tickets or gain access.
As in previous seasons, our intention is to give fans access where this is possible. Qualifying rounds are a fantastic way to enjoy live snooker with outstanding value for money. The quality of snooker is extraordinary and the strength in depth on our tour has never been greater. And at all qualifying events you can see a wide range of players on a single day.
We hope to see you at our qualifying events this season.
The good news clearly is that the UK Championship qualifiers will be open to fans.
However, as things stand for now, qualifiers to be played before mid-September will apparently not be open to fans. That includes the 2023 British Open qualifiers, the 2023 European Masters qualifiers, the 2023 Wuhan Open qualifiers and the 2023 English Open qualifiers.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
Shock horror Ronnie O’Sullivan pulls out of the Champions League.
Only someone who believes in fairies at the bottom of the garden thought he might play.
I believe it’s not as plush in this venue as the glorious surroundings he was playing at in the Far East.
In fact I’m assuming this event is so low profile in the UK that even the Stop Oil protesters aren’t bothered about it but if they were at least it would end this pointlessness.
Well he has played in it before, just as he has played in the non-ranking version. Often playing in just the one group for match practice, before withdrawing. But, yes, I assume that coming back from Shanghai, where he won, and the luxury of the Wynn … this wasn’t too appealing. 😂
It is also at a very inopportune time as there is nothing to prepare for in the middle of summer to make this in any way appealing. Which is why I don’t understand why he even entered in the first place.