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Ding Junhui competes at the 2025 CBSA China Xinchang Snooker Masters Invitational. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The 2025 CBSA China Xinchang Snooker Masters Invitational opened in Xinchang county on July 25, marking the first time the newly built Xinchang Small Ball Center has hosted a top-tier international snooker event. The three-day tournament features elite players, including China's Ding Junhui and world No 1 Judd Trump.

The opening match between Ding and Trump drew a capacity crowd to the venue and ended with a narrow 5-4 victory for Trump. Each frame was met with sustained applause and cheers from spectators.

Xinchang Small Ball Center. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Covering 120,000 square meters, the Xinchang Small Ball Center is a modern complex integrating competition arenas, training facilities, and athlete accommodations. It is designed to host national and international events ranging from badminton and table tennis to outdoor adventure sports.

Over the past three years, Xinchang has staged more than 240 sporting events, including the Lin Dan Cup badminton tournament and national-level cycling races, helping boost local tourism and drive economic growth.

Local officials said the county's combination of high-level sporting facilities and cultural hospitality is expected to leave a lasting impression on visitors. They added that Xinchang aims to set a new benchmark for what county-level regions can achieve through hosting world-class events.