World Matchplay

The World Matchplay was a professional snooker ranking event that took place between 1976 and 1993. Originally one of five tournaments broadcast on the BBC, it was replaced by other smaller events for the 1993/94 season.

Changes to the format happened almost every season, with the final contested over 35 frames from 1976 to 1982, 31 frames from 1983 to 1985, 25 frames from 1986 to 1990 and 31 frames from 1991 to 1993. In the latter years of the tournament, it was criticised due to its similarity to the World Championship, and several players were unhappy with the intensity of the tournament, which was so soon after the Masters, a Triple Crown event.

The final champion was Stephen Hendry.