World Snooker, also known as the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), was founded in 1968 and is based in Bristol, UK. It is the governing body of professional snooker. World Snooker is responsible for running and administering snooker's main ranking circuit events. These include the Shanghai Masters, World Open, UK Championship, Welsh Open, China Open and the World Snooker Championship.