Breaking News: Netflix Officially Releases Snooker Documentary Showcasing Their Journey and Legacy — Watch Now!
In a move that’s set to captivate sports enthusiasts worldwide, Netflix has officially launched *Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen*, a riveting six-episode documentary series that peels back the curtain on the high-stakes world of Matchroom Sport. Premiering today after its highly anticipated September 17 debut, the series chronicles the audacious journey of promoter Barry Hearn and his son Eddie Hearn, whose visionary empire has transformed snooker—and sports like boxing and darts—from niche pastimes into global spectacles. Produced by the acclaimed Box to Box Films team behind *Formula 1: Drive to Survive* and *Full Swing*, this “Succession meets sports” saga offers unprecedented access to the drama, rivalries, and triumphs that have defined snooker’s modern legacy.
The release comes amid a surge in sports documentaries on streaming platforms, with Netflix positioning *The Greatest Showmen* as a cornerstone of its expanding unscripted lineup. Viewers can now stream all episodes exclusively on Netflix, diving into the Hearns’ rags-to-riches story that began in the smoky snooker halls of 1980s Britain and evolved into a multi-billion-pound powerhouse. “This is a game-changer,” declared Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, in a statement accompanying the launch. “For the first time, we’ve thrown open the doors to our world, giving fans an all-access pass to the chaos and glory of building sporting empires. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s snooker at its most electrifying.”
At the heart of the series is Barry Hearn OBE, the self-made “Romeo of the baize” who spotted snooker’s untapped potential in an era when the cue sport was eclipsed by football mania. Episode 1, “The Cue Revolution,” transports audiences back to 1978, when Hearn, a former accountancy student turned entrepreneur, signed a young Steve Davis to his fledgling Matchroom banner. What followed was nothing short of revolutionary: Hearn’s flair for showmanship turned the Crucible Theatre’s World Snooker Championship into a televised phenomenon. Archival footage captures the era’s “golden gods”—Davis, with his robotic precision and six world titles; Dennis Taylor, whose nail-biting 1985 black-ball decider against Steve drew 18.5 million UK viewers; and Alex Higgins, the volatile “Hurricane” whose fiery genius both elevated and endangered the sport.
The documentary masterfully weaves snooker’s turbulent history with Matchroom’s behind-the-scenes machinations. Directors James Gay-Rees and executive producer Fisher Stevens (of *The Last Dance* fame) secured extraordinary access, filming in Matchroom’s Essex headquarters during high-pressure deal-making sessions. One standout sequence follows Eddie Hearn negotiating Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 2022 contract renewal amid the Rocket’s record-equaling seventh world title. O’Sullivan, snooker’s brooding GOAT with 41 ranking titles, emerges as a pivotal figure—his on-table brilliance contrasted with off-table candor about mental health struggles and burnout. “Snooker saved me, but it nearly broke me too,” O’Sullivan reflects in an intimate interview, shot in the dim glow of a practice table. The series doesn’t shy away from controversy: Higgins’ alcoholism-fueled meltdowns, Jimmy White’s heartbreaking near-misses, and the sport’s gambling scandals are dissected with unflinching honesty, underscoring how Matchroom’s iron-fisted promotion kept snooker afloat through scandals and slumps.
As the episodes progress, *The Greatest Showmen* spotlights snooker’s global ascent under Matchroom’s stewardship. Episode 3, “Global Baize,” charts the sport’s expansion into Asia, where Hearn’s savvy secured lucrative tournaments in China and the Middle East. Today, snooker boasts over 100 million fans worldwide, a far cry from its parochial roots—thanks in no small part to Matchroom’s fusion of tradition and spectacle. Interviews with legends like six-time champion Steve Davis and current stars Judd Trump and Mark Selby reveal the personal toll of the circuit: endless travel, cutthroat qualifying rounds, and the pressure to perform under crucifying spotlights. Davis, now a wry commentator, quips, “Barry didn’t just promote snooker; he made us rock stars. But every fairy tale has its villains—and sometimes, you’re your own worst enemy.”
Critics are already hailing the series as a triumph. *The Guardian* called it “a masterclass in sports storytelling, blending *Drive to Survive*’s adrenaline with *The Crown*’s family intrigue.” Early viewership metrics show it topping Netflix’s sports charts in the UK and Ireland, with strong traction in emerging markets like India and Australia—markets where snooker is gaining fervent followings. Yet, the documentary isn’t without its detractors; some purists argue it glamorizes the commercial side at the expense of the game’s artisanal soul. “Snooker was poetry before it became product placement,” tweeted one veteran fan, echoing debates about the sport’s soul amid rising prize pots exceeding £20 million annually.
Beyond nostalgia, *The Greatest Showmen* probes snooker’s future. Episode 6 culminates at the 2025 World Championship, where emerging talents like Kyren Wilson and Luca Brecel vie for supremacy in a post-Hearn era. Eddie Hearn hints at bold innovations—virtual reality broadcasts, women’s pro tours, and crossovers with esports—to lure Gen Z audiences. “We’ve built an empire, but empires evolve,” Hearn says. “Snooker’s legacy isn’t just the pots and breaks; it’s the stories of underdogs who cue their way to immortality.”
For die-hard fans, the series doubles as a love letter to snooker’s intangible magic: the hypnotic clack of balls, the geometry of the green baize, and the sheer willpower required for a 147 maximum. It arrives at a poignant moment, just months after Ronnie O’Sullivan’s emotional retirement tease and amid whispers of a rival promoter challenging Matchroom’s dominance. Whether you’re a Crucible devotee or a newcomer hooked by Netflix’s hype machine, *The Greatest Showmen* delivers: a testament to how a father-son duo turned billiard balls into billion-dollar dreams.
As Barry Hearn toasts in the finale, “Snooker isn’t a game—it’s a gamble, and we’ve bet big.” Stream it now on Netflix and witness the legacy unfold. Who knows? It might just inspire the next generation to pick up a cue.