The World Nine-ball Championships are held annually, and are sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association. The event was first held in , won by Earl Strickland. Events have been held for boys, women and the main world championships since this time, with a girl's tournament being created in 2004. In 2013, the men's championship was changed from being inclusive for all to a men's only event. From 2021, the main tournament became all inclusive once again, while the women’s event was discontinued. In 1999, two men's tournaments were held, with one being run by the World Pool Association, held in Spain, and the other not recognised, held in Wales known as the 1999 World Pool Championship. However, both events were later recognised as official world championships for the year of 1999.