Saturday at the Masters Snooker 2026: Prize money, today's order of play, semi final draw, trophy, odds - when does John Higgins play?
It’s semi final day at one of the biggest snooker competitions of the 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, in an entertaining battle, Shaun Murphy beat Kyren Wilson 10–7 to land his second Masters - exactly a decade after his first.
But the defending champion lost in the first day of play, beaten 6-2 by Wu Yize, while there was another shock when Mark Selby lost by the same scoreline to Xiao Guodong.
Monday saw Mark Allen and Zhao Xintong go through at the expense of Mark Williams and Gary Wilson respectively.
On Tuesday Scotland’s John Higgins went throught to the quarter finals with a 6-2 win over Barry Hawkins - and was joined by Zhao Xintong who beat Gary Wilson by the same score.
Wednesday saw wins for Judd Trump and Neil Robertson which meant that, incredibly, all eight of the first round matches ended in a scoreline of 6-2.
On Thursday Trump recorded yet another 6-2 win over Mark Allen, while John Higgins broke the pattern with a deciding frame 6-5 win over World Champion Zhao Xintong.
Then yesterday Wu Yize whitewashed Xiao Guodong 6-0 and Kyren Wilson resisted a remarkable Neil Robertson comeback to scrape through 6-5.
Here's everything you need to know about what’s happening in the tournament today - as the quarter final matches conclude.
What is the prize money at the Masters?
The Masters offers a total prize pot of £1,015,000, divided as followas:
- Winner: £350,000.
- Runner-up: £140,000
- Semifinalists: £75,000
- Quarterfinalist £40,000
- First round losers: £25,000
- Highest break: £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.
Who is playing at the Masters snooker today?
Here are the two semi final matches being played today (Saturday, January 17):
- 1pm: Judd Trump v John Higgins
- 7pm: Wu Yize v Kyren Wilson
When is John Higgins playing his semi final match at the Masters 2026?
Scotland’s John Higgins will be taking on current world number one Judd Trump in his semi final at 1pm on Saturday, January 17. It will be shown live on BBC Two. Trump is the favourite to win the match with odds of 4/7, while Higgins is a 11/8 outsider.
How can I watch The Masters Snooker on television?
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.
Here’s today’s television schedule:
Live coverage
1pm-5.15pm: BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
7pm-10pm: BBC Four, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Masters Snooker Extra
12.30am-2.30am - BBC Two
What are the results of the Masters snooker 2026?
Here’s what’s happened so far:
First round
- Shaun Murphy 2-6 Wu Yize
- Mark Selby 2-6 Xiao Guodong
- Mark Williams 2-6 Mark Allen
- John Higgins 6-2 Barry Hawkins
- Kyren Wilson 6-2 Si Jiahui
- Zhao Xintong 6-2 Gary Wilson
- Judd Trump 6-2 Ding Junhui
- Neil Robertson 6-2 Chris Wakelin
Quarter finals
- John Higgins 6-5 Zhao Xintong
- Judd Trump 6-2 Mark Allen
- Wu Yize 6-0 Xiao Guodong
- Neil Robertson 5-6 Kyren Wilson
Why is Ronnie O’Sullivan not playing at the Masters 2026?
The Rocket withdrew from the competition two days before play started “for medical reasons”. He is an eight-time Masters champion.
What is the format of matches at The Masters?
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 full schedule for The Masters snooker 2026
Here’s when all the action will be happening later in the week.
Sunday, January 18
1pm and 7pm: Final
Who is favourite to win the 2026 Masters snooker?
Judd Trump is now the Evens favourite to win the title, followed by Kyren Wilson (2/1), John Higgins (3/1) and Wu Yize (3/1).
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