Snooker Legends Return: Alfie Burden and Ronnie O’Sullivan Lead Star-Studded 2026 World Seniors Showdown at The Crucible
The snooker world may have just celebrated the conclusion of the World Championship, but fans don’t have long to wait for another dose of top-tier action. From May 6 to May 10, 2026, the prestigious World Seniors Snooker Championship will return to the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, marking the eighth consecutive year the event will be held at this legendary venue. Sponsored by JenningsBet, the tournament is officially known as the JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship.
The championship, first held in 1991 and won by Cliff Wilson, took a hiatus before being revived in 2010, when Jimmy White defeated Steve Davis 4–1 in the final. Since its revival, the event has been held annually, with the Crucible becoming its permanent home starting in 2019. This year, the tournament has grown in scale, featuring 24 players and introducing a two-table setup to give more competitors the experience of playing at snooker’s most famous stage.
Defending champion Alfie Burden, who triumphed over Aaron Canavan 8–4 in the 2025 final, returns as the top seed. Joe Perry, winner of the 2025 UK Seniors Open, is seeded second, and both will join other high-profile entrants including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stuart Bingham, Ali Carter, Matthew Stevens, and Robert Milkins, all of whom start in the second round. The first round also features champions from regional competitions, including 2024 World Seniors Champion Igor Figueiredo, Pan-American Seniors Champion, European Seniors Champion Craig Steadman, African Seniors Champion Mohamed Elhayat, and Pan-Asian Seniors Champion Roger Farbrazer.
The tournament format is designed to test skill and endurance: early rounds and the quarter-finals are best of 7 frames, the semi-finals extend to best of 13, and the final is a grueling best of 19 frames. The total prize fund stands at £80,000, with the winner pocketing £30,000 and earning the coveted spot in the Champion of Champions tournament.
The 2026 field is packed with familiar and celebrated faces. Seven-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, 2015 World Champion Stuart Bingham, 12-time Women’s World Champion Reanne Evans, former Masters and UK Champion Matthew Stevens, and two-time finalist Ali Carter are among the top draws. Legendary seniors competitors, including four-time World Seniors Champion Jimmy White, Nigel Bond, and 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty, also return, alongside the famously fast Tony Drago. With the expanded 24-player roster, the 2026 World Seniors Championship promises an electrifying week of snooker at the Crucible.
