Building the American Premier League in Leeds: An Interview with Tournament Director Liam Blackwell
American pool is steadily growing in the UK, and an exciting development is happening right here in Leeds. The American Premier League, sponsored by Cue + Case, is providing players with a competitive, social, and professionally run league that’s quickly gaining momentum. Registration for the 5th edition commencing on 29th September 2025 is now open!
Sourav from Cue + Case sat down with Tournament Director, Liam Blackwell, to talk about how the league started, the challenges he’s faced, and his vision for the future.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in cue sports?
Yeah, I’m Liam, I live in Ilkley, West Yorkshire with my partner, Katie and my little 1 year-old baby boy, Louis.
Cue sports for me all began watching Snooker on the BBC. My earliest memories were watching matches from the Crucible go into the early hours on the little box TV in my bedroom, waking up bleary-eyed for school in the morning!
Having a third-rate cueing action, playing snooker was never the most satisfying to play, and like for most people, I suspect, I found my level with pool!
I had the amazing fortune of been relocated to New York through my work, and it was during this period playing in a league at Society Billiards in Manhattan, playing in that environment and meeting amazing new people through the sport that my perspective on pool transformed and love of the game began!
What do you do full-time outside of running the league?
I’ve worked in the gambling industry for the past 10 years. I started at Sky Bet and now work for a software company as an account director. It’s flexible and a nice job, and sport has always been at the centre of what I do.
What inspired you to start the American Premier League here in Leeds?
It was pure necessity for me. I’d loved the experience playing in the U.S. and wanted to find something similar back here, but I couldn’t. I’ve always been the type that if something I want doesn’t exist, I’ll create it. It was then when I had my baby, that made me create the league. Sports like cricket and golf just weren’t compatible with family life anymore, but pool gave me a short, guaranteed window — two hours in the evening — where I could get out, compete, and really maximise my time.
Why did you choose American Pool over the other cue sports disciplines?
I probably picked American because it’s the cue sport I fell in love with. Bigger pockets help you feel like a better player than you are, the games are fast-paced and action-packed and players of all standards can give each other a game; momentum and confidence is massive. Snooker and English pool are brilliant, but I didn’t fall in love with them in the same way. American pool gave me that buzz, and I think you need to have passion to create something amazing.
How did you go about setting up the league in its early stages?
It was initially just a group of six players from my cricket club, looking for something to do in the dreary off-season! Nothing more sophisticated than a WhatsApp group, excel fixture schedule and paper score sheets.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in getting it off the ground?
The product itself is strong — most players stick around season after season — but selling it and getting new people in takes a lot of work. Running ads, creating promotional material, working with venues — I thought that would be easier, but you end up doing far more of the legwork yourself. Behind the scenes, there are a lot of hours and a lot of grind, but you’ve got to love it and believe in the vision to keep going.
How has the league evolved from its inception to where it is currently?
Every season I try to tweak and improve it. The format — four sets, best of five frames — has stayed the same because it works so well. But now we also stream a featured match each evening, which has built an audience, and commentary has added to the atmosphere.
At the end of the season, instead of only the top players reaching finals, we now split the table so everyone has something to play for against people of a similar standard. That’s been a game-changer and well received.
Numbers have grown steadily: 6, 10, 18, and now 24 players in season four. I’m aiming for 48 players next season across multiple venues in Leeds.
In your view, what makes the American Premier League different from other pool leagues in the area?
Convenience. Most leagues involve travelling to different pubs each week, but ours is centralised. Matches are scheduled in advance, so players know exactly where and when to play, and they’ve got flexibility to rearrange if needed.
It’s not just the format — it’s the community. We’ve got a really active WhatsApp group, people take an interest in each other’s games, and there’s a sense of being part of something that’s constantly improving. I treat it more like a professional venture than a casual side project, and I think people see that.
What are your short-term goals for the league over the next season?
The big focus is growing the numbers — that makes everything else easier. I’d also like to experiment with running one-day tournaments alongside the regular league, similar to how darts runs majors alongside the Premier League. That’s something I’m keen to try out.
How do you see the league evolving over the next few years? Do you have any long-term ambitions, such as expanding to other cities or adding more divisions?
The dream is to work with Matchroom to create a pathway where players can qualify for major tournaments — imagine sending a league winner to the US Open in Atlantic City. In the short term, the stepping stone might be qualification to the UK Open or other national events, but that’s where I’d like it to head.
In terms of expansion, I want to grow it across Leeds first, ideally up to 48 players across three venues. Once Leeds is fully established, then it’s about taking it to nearby cities like York, Sheffield, or Manchester. Long-term, it could become regional, then national, with champions from each area. The bigger it grows, the better the experience for everyone.
What do you enjoy the most about running the league?
The creativity. My day job doesn’t give me that, but this does. I’ve learned so much — streaming, graphics, marketing — and I enjoy solving problems and building something new.
What started as a quick chance to get out of the house has turned into something that takes over your life, but in the best way. I love giving players something to look forward to each week and creating an experience that feels bigger than just a local league.
What does it mean to you to have Cue and Case supporting your league?
It’s brilliant. The partnership came out of nowhere, and it’s amazing to have that support. Players often turn up never having thought about owning a cue, then after their first match, and suddenly they’re buying proper equipment. It transforms their confidence.
Cue and Case has also linked me up with the right people and brought experience from running English pool events, which I’d love to emulate on the American side. The support has been massively appreciated, and I think there’s a lot of potential for us to grow together.
