Inside former airport turned into futuristic £3bn snooker arena that will take event from UK and offer £700k prize pot

THE Snooker World Grand Prix is heading to Asia - and a £3billion venue like no other.

Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong will play host to the ranking event next March.

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It marks the first time the tournament has ever been held outside the UK.

Since breaking ground five years ago, the state-of-the-art facility has been beset by delays.

Set over 28 hectares, the stunning park features three separate sporting arenas.

The Main Stadium dominates the complex, with an all-purpose field for multiple sports and enough room for 50,000 fans.

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A futuristic retractable roof also ensures play can continue whatever the weather.

Built on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport, a huge retail space is partnered with a Dining Cove packed with restaurants.

There is also an outdoor ball court, a children's playground, a health and wellness centre, plus a bowling alley.

Alongside the main arena is an Indoor Sports Centre with space for another 10,000 spectators.

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And a smaller sports ground, complete with a running track, adds capacity for another 5,000.

The park has been in development since April 2019 and cost a whopping £3bn.

Rock band Coldplay are booked in next year to formally open the complex, which can easily be converted into a music venue.

March's Grand Prix will serve as a test event for organisers, with the smaller facilities in operation.

Prize money for the event has skyrocketed since last year, from £380,000 to a total purse of £700,000.

Around 4,000 spectators are expected to pack the stands, which would be a tournament record.

The competition also marks the first time Hong Kong has hosted a ranking snooker event in 35 years.

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WST CEO Simon Brownell said: "We are hugely excited to be taking such a massive event to Hong Kong.

"This is a move which is in line with our strategy to have a greater distribution of snooker’s biggest tournaments around the world and further globalise the sport.

"We were impressed by the levels of support at the Hong Kong Masters in 2022.

"The 9,000 fans in attendance for the final created a magical atmosphere."

Last month, Matchroom boss Barry Hearn indicated he was looking at taking more snooker events out to Asia.

He told his podcast : "We currently have a World Championship in England. And I stress the word world.

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"Because there's part of me that says, what I should be doing now with snooker is taking it all around the world.

"So perhaps there should be one year in Sheffield, one year in Saudi, one year in Beijing. And so on."