YORK is set to host to a major sports event starting this weekend.

The Victorian Plumbing UK Snooker Championship is set to return home to the York Barbican, the venue that first staged the event in 2001.

Taking place from Saturday, November 23 to December 1, crowds will see snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan start the defence of his title on the opening day.

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While the world top 16 has been seeded, the qualifying tournament in Leicester has seen 16 additional players, chosen from the 128 contenders, selected to play in York.

The UK Championship is part of snooker’s Triple Crown series with all matches being best of 11 frames (aside from the final, which is best of 19).

Last year’s event saw legends of the sport in and around the city with former world champion Shaun Murphy, amongst others, setting up camp in the Edinburgh Arms in Fishergate after a fault with a ventilation fan caused the Barbican to be evacuated.

At the time, Shaun went on to say that over a 20 year period of coming to York he had a good rapport with the pub, a stone’s throw from York Barbican. He said: “The guys in there know us well, we socialise in there and when we needed a bit of a safe haven, they were there for us.”

Also spotted around the city in previous years was Ronnie O’Sullivan, who is reportedly friends with long-standing Walmgate restaurateur Paulo Silesu - owner of the ever-popular Sardinian restaurant Il Paradiso del Cibo.

A spokesman for World Snooker Tournament said: “This has become the hottest ticket in town, particularly since we changed the format last year, which enhanced the atmosphere in the arena.

“Plus there is so much to do aside from watching the action on the tables, including the chance to try snooker yourself in CueZone, enjoy interactive games and watch the pros practising."

Tickets for the Championship are still available on The Barbican’s website.