Today at the Masters Snooker 2026: Wednesday order of play, prize money, quarter final draw, trophy, odds, where is Ronnie O'Sullivan?

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 - excatly 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.

And in yesterday’s play 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.

Higgins will now face world champion Zhao Xintong for a place in the last four.

Here's everything you need to know about what’s happening in the tournament today - as the first round 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

Read more: Snooker Rich List 2025: Here are the 17 snooker players who have won most money in history - how much is Judd Trump worth?

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 first round matches being played today (Wednesday, January 14):

• 1pm: Judd Trump vs Ding Junhui
• 7pm: Neil Robertson vs Chris Wakelin

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
• Zhao Xintong 6-2 Gary Wilson
• John Higgins 6-2 Barry Hawkins
• Zhao Xintong 6-2 Gary Wilson

What is the quarter final draw for the Master Snooker 2026?

Here’s what’s happening in the next two days once the quarter final lineup is confirmed later today.

• Wu Yize v Xiao Guodong
• Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin v Kyren Wilson
• Judd Trump or Ding Junhui v Mark Allen
• John Higgins v Zhao Xintong

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.

Thursday, January 15

1pm: QF3

7pm: QF4

Friday, January 16

1pm: QF1

7pm: QF2

Saturday, January 17

1pm: Winner of QF3 v Winner of QF4

7pm: Winner of QF1 v Winner of QF2

Sunday, January 18

1pm and 7pm: Final

Who is favourite to win the 2026 Masters snooker?

Judd Trump is the 10/3 favourite to win the title, followed by Zhao Xintong (10/3), Kyren Wilson (5/1), Neil Robertson (5/1), and Wu Yize (7/1).

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