There’s no question that pool needs to grow. The fan base is getting older, and for the sport to stay strong, it has to reach younger audiences. That’s why it’s good to see Matchroom trying new things — including adding well-known internet personalities into the mix.

At the upcoming 2025 UK Open, two social media stars — Pieface and JaackMaate — will be part of the player roster. For those unfamiliar (like me), here’s what I gathered from a quick Google search: Pieface is known for streaming FIFA and has a fun, high-energy style that his fans enjoy. He has over 900,000 followers across YouTube and Twitch. JaackMaate, on the other hand, runs the Happy Hour Podcast, a show that covers pop culture, interviews, and trending topics. He has more than 1.3 million followers across his platforms.

So, the idea behind inviting them is clear: they bring large audiences, and maybe some of those followers will take an interest in pool. But here’s the real question: How many of those fans will actually become pool fans?

Bringing new eyes to the sport isn’t easy, and to be fair, Matchroom deserves credit for thinking outside the box. The challenge is real, and trying something different is better than doing nothing at all.

However, many long-time fans may not be too thrilled about seeing internet personalities play on the main TV table, especially when they’re not professional pool players. Some (most) fans pay for subscriptions to watch the world’s best — and it’s hard to accept when those prime spots are given to non-pros instead.

Yes, the UK Open features a 256-player field, which is large. But even then, every slot matters. Many pros work hard and travel far just to qualify for events like this. Giving away spots to influencers — while fun on paper — takes away chances from those who actually make (or at least try to) a living playing this sport.

There are better ways to include social media stars in pool. They could be special guests in the audience, create behind-the-scenes content, or even serve as guest commentators to help bring in casual viewers. But when it comes to the main competition, many fans feel those places should be saved for professionals.

Pool already has incredible stories and world-class talent. Instead of using gimmicks, maybe the real answer is to highlight those stories better — and give fans, new and old, a reason to care about the game and the people who play it at the highest level.