Snooker Showdown at the Masters: O’Sullivan, Murphy, and Trump Set to Clash in 2026 Alexandra Palace Battle
The 2026 Masters Snooker Tournament will take place from January 11 to January 18 at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace. Defending champion Shaun Murphy will be looking to retain his title after a hard-fought 10-7 victory over Kyren Wilson in the 2025 final. Murphy’s title defense will begin against China’s rising star, Wu Yize, on the afternoon of the opening day.
One of the most anticipated encounters of the tournament will see eight-time Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan face off against two-time winner Neil Robertson. This high-profile clash will headline the first round on the evening of January 14, drawing massive attention from fans and pundits alike.
The tournament, which brings together the sport’s best players, features a 16-player field made up of the top-ranked players following December’s UK Championship. The format for the event sees all matches played in a best-of-11 frames format, with the exception of the final, which will be contested over 19 frames.
Mark Selby, who triumphed in the UK Championship, is among the invited players, adding to the already star-studded lineup. Other big names like Judd Trump, Ding Junhui, and Mark Williams will also be in action, ensuring that the 2026 Masters will deliver plenty of drama, skill, and memorable moments for snooker fans.
With the world’s best vying for the prestigious trophy, this year’s tournament is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle of snooker at its finest.
Masters first-round draw
- Shaun Murphy vs Wu Yize
- Mark Selby vs Xiao Guodong
- Neil Robertson vs Ronnie O’Sullivan
- Kyren Wilson vs Si Jiahui
- Judd Trump vs Ding Junhui
- Mark Williams vs Mark Allen
- John Higgins vs Barry Hawkins
- Zhao Xintong vs Gary Wilson
Masters first-round schedule
Sunday January 11
- 1pm: Shaun Murphy vs Wu Yize
- 7pm: Mark Selby vs Xiao Guodong
Monday January 12
- 1pm: Mark Williams vs Mark Allen
- 7pm: Zhao Xintong vs Gary Wilson
Tuesday January 13
- 1pm: Kyren Wilson vs Si Jiahui
- 7pm: John Higgins vs Barry Hawkins
Wednesday January 14
- 1pm: Judd Trump vs Ding Junhui
- 7pm: Neil Robertson vs Ronnie O’Sullivan
