Masters Snooker 2026: Prize money, draw, schedule, trophy, odds, who is O'Sullivan playing first?
It’s the second Triple Crown of the 2025/26 season.
The Masters is one of snooker’s three Triple Crown events and has been played since 1975 – making it the second-longest running tournament behind the World Championship.
The tournament sees the top 16 players in the world play in front of capacity crowds at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Last year, Shaun Murphy won the tournament, defeating Kyren Wilson 10–7, to claim his second Masters title.
Both will be back for the 2026 tournamant - along with Scotland’s John Higgins.
And Ronnie O’Sullivan will be in the hunt for a record-extending 24th Triple Crown trophy.
The first round draw took place over the weekend at the UK Championship final - so we now know who’ll be playing who.
Here's everything you need to know about the tournament.
When is the Masters Snooker 2026?
The competition will take place from January 11-18, 2026.
What is the prize money at the Masters in 2026?
The Masters offers a total prize pot of £1,015,000, split as follows:
- Winner: £350,000.
- Runner-up: £140,000
- Semifinalists: £75,000
- Quarterfinalist: £40,000
- First round losers: £25,000.
- Highest break prize of £15,000.
What trophy does the Masters winner lift?
The winner of The Masters will receive the Paul Hunter Trophy, named in honour of the three-time champion who died in 2006 aged 27.
How can I watch The Masters Snooker 2026?
Full coverage of all the matches in The Masters Snooker can be watched live on the BBC – including on the BBC iPlayer and the Red Button.
What is the format of matches at The Masters 2026?
The first round, quarter-finals and semi-finals are the best of 11 frames (first to 6), while the final is the best of 19 frames (first to 10).
There is only one match per session (unlike other tournaments when two matches often take place at the same time) and a maximum of two matches per day.
What’s the first round draw at The Masters snooker 2026?
Here are the all first round matches, to be played between January 11-14.
- Shaun Murphy (1) v Wu Yize (13)
- Mark Selby (8) v Xiao Guodong (11)
- Neil Robertson (5) v Ronnie O'Sullivan (9)
- Kyren Wilson (4) v Si Jiahui (15)
- Judd Trump (3) v Ding Junhu (12)
- Mark Williams (6) v Mark Allen (10)
- John Higgins (7) v Barry Hawkins (14)
- Zhao Xintong (2) v Gary Wilson (16)
What’s the full schedule for The Masters snooker 2026
Here’s when all the action will be happening.
- Sunday, January 11: First round (two matches)
- Monday, January 12: First round (two matches)
- Tuesday, January 13: First round (two matches)
- Wednesday, January 14: First round (two matches)
- Thursday, January 15: Quarter finals (two matches)
- Friday, January 16: Quarter finals (two matches)
- Saturday, January 17: Semi Finals
- Sunday, January 18: Final
Who is favourite to win the Masters snooker 2026?
Judd Trump is the 7/2 favourite to win the title, followed by Zhao Xintong (5/1), Mark Selby (5/1), Ronnie O’Sullivan (7/1), and Shaun Murphy (10/1). John Higgins is a 16/1 outsider.
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