The Table Talks Edit: The History of Tournament Blue
3rd August 2026
For decades, green baize was synonymous with cue sports. Walk into any snooker hall or billiards club and you’ll find tables dressed in shades of green, a tradition that dates back centuries. Today, however, Tournament Blue has become the defining colour of the professional game, recognised by players and fans across the globe.
But why did the sport move away from its iconic green, and how did blue become the modern standard?
A Tradition Rooted in Green
The earliest billiards and snooker tables were covered in green cloth to resemble the grass lawns on which many early cue sports were originally played. As the games moved indoors, the green playing surface remained, becoming an enduring symbol of tradition and craftsmanship.
For generations, green cloth was the only colour many players associated with professional play. It represented heritage, familiarity and the timeless character of the sport.
The Rise of Colour Television
The biggest turning point came during the late twentieth century with the widespread adoption of colour television.
As televised snooker grew in popularity, broadcasters and tournament organisers looked for ways to improve the viewing experience. While green cloth had served the game well for decades, advances in television technology highlighted an opportunity to make the action clearer for audiences watching at home.
Blue offered greater contrast against the coloured balls, making them easier to distinguish on screen. The improved visibility enhanced the viewing experience without changing the way the game itself was played.
As television audiences continued to grow, blue cloth became increasingly common at major tournaments before eventually establishing itself as the colour most associated with elite competition.
More Than Just a Colour
Tournament Blue represents far more than a visual change.
Today’s professional cloths are engineered to deliver exceptional speed, consistency and precision, ensuring players can perform at the very highest level. While the colour provides excellent visual clarity for spectators and broadcasters, the quality of the cloth remains the defining factor in table performance.
Professional players demand a surface that delivers predictable ball roll, consistent pace and long-lasting durability. Achieving this requires decades of textile expertise, precision manufacturing and rigorous quality control.
Continuing a Tradition of Innovation
At Hainsworth Cue Sports, innovation has always gone hand in hand with heritage. For generations, our Yorkshire mill has combined traditional craftsmanship with continual product development to create cloths trusted by clubs, fitters and players around the world. Every metre is designed to deliver the consistent playing characteristics that cue sports demand while meeting the expectations of modern venues and televised events. Tournament Blue reflects this same philosophy – respecting the traditions of the game while embracing innovations that enhance the experience for players, spectators and organisers alike.
Today, Tournament Blue is recognised around the world as the colour of professional cue sports. It has become the backdrop to countless memorable matches and championship-winning performances, offering a modern appearance without losing sight of the sport’s rich heritage. As we relaunch our Elite Pro Tournament Blue cloth, we celebrate not only a colour that has transformed the visual identity of the game, but also the craftsmanship, innovation and performance that continue to define world-class cue sports. Because while the colour may have changed, the pursuit of excellence never has.
