The German Masters enjoys one of the greatest venues in snooker history with a number of the sport’s leading figures saluting the unique atmosphere contained within the 2,500-seat Tempodrom in Berlin. Former winners Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, Mark Selby and Ali Carter have all paid tribute to the tournament, which runs between Jan 29-Feb 4 live on Eurosport and discovery.
The 14th staging of the German Masters will see the iconic ranking event extended from five days to a full week for the first time inside the teeming Tempodrom in Berlin.
While it might not be as celebrated as the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield or the Masters at Alexandra Palace in London, the Tempodrom is widely regarded as arguably the greatest snooker venue on the professional circuit.
A number of leading names in the sport have been effusive in their praise of the 2,500-seat venue for atmosphere, acoustics and passionate snooker knowledge of the German public in supporting the event with sell-out crowds the norm for the country’s leading tournament.
World No. 11 Ali Carter is defending the Brandon Parker Trophy – named after the dedicated and popular snooker promoter who brought the event to Berlin 13 years ago – and is chasing a record third title triumph after his first victory in 2013.
The German Masters has never been short of fans, whether watching or playing, since Mark Williams defeated Mark Selby 9-7 in the inaugural Tempodrom final in 2011 to begin a long and storied association with the country’s capital.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has described the venue as the best in the sport, Ali Carter compares the competition to the World Championship and Masters, while Shaun Murphy believes the tournament grows in stature every year.
