World Seniors Snooker Championship 2026: Prize money, full order of play, format, how to watch for free, odds - when does Ronnie O'Sullivan play?
Organisers are hoping that the biggest name in the game will mean record audiences for a tournament that often flies under the radar.
Another snooker season has come to an end, with Wu Yize winning the World Snooker Championship following a thrilling final-frame-decider final against Shaun Murphy.
But there’s no need for snooker fans to go cold turkey because just two days later sees the launch of the World Seniors Snooker Championship - also played at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
First played in 1991, the tournament has gone through a number of itinerations and formats but now features 24 of the game’s elder statesmen, including some of the most famous faces in the sport such as Jimmy White and Ken Doherty.
And this year’s competition is guaranteed to catch the eye of even casual fans, with Ronnie O’Sullivan making his seniors debut just days after playing the the World Snooker Championship (where he was beaten by Scotland’s John Higgins by a single frame in a thrilling second round match).
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s tournament.
When is the World Seniors Snooker Championship 2026 being held?
This year’s tournment takes place from Wednesday, May 6, to Sunday, May 10.
How old do you have to be to play in the World Seniors Snooker Championship?
The minimum age to play in the seniors is a relatively youthful 40-years-of-age.
What is the prize money at the World Seniors Snooker Championship 2026?
There is a prize pot of £80,000 up for grabs, with the winner getting a cheque for £30,000. Presumably Ronnie O’Sullivan is also being paid a pretty hefty appearance fee.
What’s the format of the World Seniors Snooker Championship 2026?
16 unseeded players face each other in the first round, with the winners taking on the seeded players in the second round. From then on it’s a straight knockout competition.
Up to and including the quarter-finals the matches will be the best of seven frames, with the semi-final the best of 13 frames and the final the best of 19 frames.
Interestingly there will not be deciding frames, with ties resolved with a black ball shoot out instead.
What’s the order of play for the World Seniors Snooker Championship 2026?
Here’s when all the matches will be played over the course of the week.
Wednesday, May 6
7pm
- Craig Steadman v Neal Jones
- Tony Drago v Roger Farebrother
9pm
- Igor Figueiredo v Mohamed Elkhayat
- Reanne Evans v Aaron Canavan
Thursday, May 7
12pm
- Peter Lines v Anthony Hamilton
- Ken Doherty v Gerard Greene
2pm
- Jimmy White v Daniel Ward
- Dominic Dale v Wayne Townsend
7pm
- Robert Milkins v Jimmy White / Daniel Ward
- Matthew Stevens v Dominic Dale / Wayne Townsend
9pm
- Alfie Burden v Igor Figueiredo / Mohamed Elkhayat
- Ali Carter v Tony Drago / Roger Farebrother
Friday, May 8
12pm
- Stuart Bingham v Peter Lines / Anthony Hamilton
- Nigel Bond v Craig Steadman / Neal Jones
2pm
- Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ken Doherty / Gerard Greene
- Joe Perry v Reanne Evans / Aaron Canavan
7pm
- Quarter-finals
Saturday, May 9
12pm
- Semi-final
7pm
- Semi-final
Sunday, May 10
12pm
- Final
7pm
- Final
The Rocket will take on the winner of the Ken Doherty v Gerard Greene match on Friday, May 8, at 2pm.
How can I watch the World Seniors Snooker Championship 2026 on television?
You can catch all the action for free on Channel 5 and online on Pluto TV.
Who is favourite to win the World Seniors Snooker Championship 2026?
Unsurprisingly Ronnie O’Sullivan is the red hot 8/11 favourite to win, followed by Ali Carter (23/10), Stuart Bingham (11/2), Matthew Stevens (9/1) and Joe Perry (12/1).
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