A number of players, among them reigning world champion Stephen Hendry, were unhappy with Higgins' inclusion and threatened to boycott the event if he appeared in it.
Staged at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, it carried a record amount of prize money of £1,000,000 ; the winner of the men's singles won £200,000, more than the world champion would receive that year.
[1][2] During the tournament James Wattana made the ninth official maximum break against Paul Dawkins.
The commentary team was Peter Brackley, Mike Watterson, Jim Wych, Paul Wade, Willie Jameson and Phil Yates.
Alternative commentary was available in other languages across continental Europe, including from long-time commentator Rolf Kalb in Germany.