The Masters Snooker 2026 has opened at Alexandra Palace in north London, bringing together the world’s top 16 players for one of the sport’s three Triple Crown events. Defending champion Shaun Murphy returned to the venue on Sunday to begin his title defence, while world No.1 Judd Trump is seeking to add another Paul Hunter Trophy to his record. The tournament runs from 11 to 18 January and carries a £350,000 first prize. This year’s event is being played without Ronnie O’Sullivan, who withdrew shortly before the start on medical grounds. This is reported by The WP Times, citing TNT Sports and tournament organisers.
What makes the Masters different
The Masters is snooker’s most selective invitational tournament. Only the top 16 players in the world rankings are eligible, meaning every match features elite-level opponents from the opening round. Unlike ranking events, there are no qualifiers. All matches are played at Alexandra Palace, with two sessions per day — at 13:00 and 19:00 UK time — giving the tournament a prime-time television profile. Matches are best of 11 frames, except for the final, which is played over 19 frames across two sessions.
Masters 2026 prize money
| Stage | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | £350,000 |
| Runner-up | £140,000 |
| Semi-finals | £75,000 |
| Quarter-finals | £40,000 |
| Last 16 | £25,000 |
| Highest break | £15,000 |
Masters 2026 – Full schedule and results
Sunday 11 January
13:00 – Shaun Murphy 0–1 Wu Yize (in progress)
19:00 – Mark Selby v Xiao Guodong
Monday 12 January
13:00 – Mark Williams v Mark Allen
19:00 – Zhao Xintong v Gary Wilson
Tuesday 13 January
13:00 – Kyren Wilson v Si Jiahui
19:00 – John Higgins v Barry Hawkins
Wednesday 14 January
13:00 – Judd Trump v Ding Junhui
19:00 – Neil Robertson v Chris Wakelin
Quarter-finals (Thursday 15 – Friday 16 January)
Murphy or Wu Yize v Selby or Xiao
Robertson or Wakelin v Kyren Wilson or Si
Trump or Ding v Williams or Allen
Higgins or Hawkins v Zhao or Gary Wilson
Semi-finals – Saturday 17 January
Final – Sunday 18 January
Who is playing at the Masters 2026
The invited field consists of: Shaun Murphy, Zhao Xintong, Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson, Mark Williams, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Mark Allen, Xiao Guodong, Ding Junhui, Wu Yize, Barry Hawkins, Si Jiahui, Gary Wilson and Chris Wakelin.
Why British fans are paying close attention
For UK audiences, the 2026 Masters is more than a London tournament — it is a major test of where British snooker now stands in the global game. Shaun Murphy arrives at Alexandra Palace as the defending champion and one of only a handful of English players capable of controlling elite Chinese and Australian challengers in long-frame matches. Retaining the Masters on home soil would place him alongside John Higgins and Mark Selby as one of the few modern players to successfully defend the title.
Judd Trump, the world No.1 from Bristol, enters the tournament with the highest seasonal win rate on the tour and is currently one of the most heavily backed players by UK bookmakers. A Masters victory would strengthen his position not only in the rankings, but also as the leading commercial face of British snooker.
The late withdrawal of Ronnie O’Sullivan has also had a direct impact on the UK market. As the sport’s biggest television draw, his absence reduces guaranteed viewing figures on TNT Sports, but at the same time makes the tournament more competitive, removing the dominant figure who has won seven Masters titles.
For British fans and broadcasters, this combination — Murphy defending, Trump leading the rankings and O’Sullivan absent — makes the 2026 Masters one of the most unpredictable and strategically important editions in years.
Where to watch in the UK
All matches from Alexandra Palace are being broadcast live on:
- TNT Sports
- discovery+
Coverage includes full live sessions, studio analysis and daily highlights throughout the tournament. The first round continues until Wednesday, after which the quarter-finals will be played on Thursday and Friday. The semi-finals follow on Saturday 17 January, with the final taking place on Sunday 18 January, when the Paul Hunter Trophy will be awarded to the 2026 champion. With Murphy already under early pressure and Trump yet to begin his campaign, the opening sessions are expected to shape the direction of the tournament.
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