The Northern Ireland Open gives Mark Allen a homecoming with a competitive edge. His first match since the World Championship semi-finals is against fellow Antrim player Jordan Brown, who knows what it takes to make a run in Belfast.
A local derby with a long absence and a short-format first round.
Allen's last event was the World Championship, where he lost in the semi-finals to Wu Yize.
Allen won the Northern Ireland Open in 2021 and 2022.
Brown reached the last eight in Belfast before losing 5-2 to Allen.
The opening three rounds are played over a best-of-seven-frames format.