The Champion of Champions has long been a place where Matchroom likes to test ideas, and this week’s presentation changes are another sign that the event is being used as a live experiment in how to package snooker. The new setup is not about rewriting the sport. It is about changing how the sport feels, both inside the arena and on screen.
That is why the most visible addition matters so much. This season, the event has added a big screen on the arena floor, while the studio presentation has been opened up to bring viewers closer to the action. Emily Frazer, the CEO of Matchroom Multi Sport, described the changes as “fresh” and argued that the more open arrangement gives both live spectators and home viewers a stronger sense of atmosphere.
Why the new setup matters
Frazer’s explanation was less about aesthetics for their own sake and more about engagement. She said the open studio brings viewers “a bit more into it” because it feels less enclosed, and she pointed out that the design helps create more atmosphere for those watching at home. In her view, the event is always looking for new ways to keep existing fans involved while also reaching a broader audience.
That is the key point here. Champion of Champions is not just a tournament setting; it is a proving ground for presentation ideas. Some years ago, the event moved away from traditional shirts, waistcoats and bow ties, so this week’s changes fit a pattern. The format has already shown a willingness to shift away from snooker’s most familiar visual codes.
A different voice in the studio
Frazer also highlighted the role of Natalie Pike in the coverage, saying she brings a different kind of insight because she is new to snooker and asks questions from the perspective of someone who does not follow the sport every day. That, Frazer suggested, is valuable because it reflects the challenge of attracting people beyond the core audience.
Her point was straightforward: snooker already has a strong audience, especially in the UK, but the event also needs to think about how to widen that reach. Having a presenter who is not automatically steeped in the sport can help the broadcast ask the kinds of questions that new viewers might ask themselves.
Frazer acknowledged that not everyone will love every change, including the event’s greener visual identity, and said you are never going to please everyone. But that, in a sense, is the point. The Champion of Champions is being framed as a tournament willing to try something different, even if that means accepting some divided opinions along the way.
For Matchroom, the value of the new presentation is not just that it looks different. It is that it signals intent: snooker can be presented in ways that feel modern, open and accessible without losing the core appeal of the sport itself.
