Masters Snooker: Winners List, History & 2026 Champion

February 14, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

Kyren Wilson secured his first Masters snooker title on January 18, 2026, defeating John Higgins 10-6 at Alexandra Palace in London, according to tournament results.

The victory marks a career milestone for Wilson, who had previously reached the Masters final in 2018 and 2025. The tournament, considered the most prestigious invitational event in professional snooker, featured the world’s top 16 players. The event ran from January 11-18, 2026, at Alexandra Palace, a venue that has hosted the championship since 2012.

Shaun Murphy was the defending champion, having won the 2025 Masters, defeating Wilson 10-7 in the previous final. However, Murphy lost 2-6 to Wu Yize in the first round of the 2026 tournament. Wu Yize likewise achieved a notable 137 break during the competition, the highest of the tournament.

The Masters has a rich history, dating back to its inception in 1975. It is one of snooker’s Triple Crown events, alongside the World Championship and the UK Championship. The tournament’s field is limited to the top 16 players in the world rankings, as determined after the UK Championship. Ronnie O’Sullivan holds the record for the most Masters titles, with eight victories spanning from 1995 to 2024.

The 2026 edition saw Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraw on medical grounds, with Chris Wakelin taking his place in the draw. Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong made their Masters debuts, contributing to a record five participants from mainland China. Wu Yize’s semi-final appearance was the first by a debutant since Yan Bingtao in 2021.

The tournament’s prize fund totaled £1,015,000, with the winner, Kyren Wilson, receiving £350,000. Matches were broadcast on BBC Sport, Eurosport, and WST Play, reaching audiences across Europe and Asia. The final was played over 19 frames, with the first player to reach 10 frames declared the winner.

The Paul Hunter Trophy was awarded to Wilson, the trophy having been renamed in 2016 to honor the three-time Masters champion who passed away in 2006. The tournament’s evolution has included changes to the final format, expanding from 9-frame finals in the early years to the current best-of-19 frame matches.

Alexandra Palace became the tournament’s permanent home in 2012, following previous iterations at the West Centre Hotel, the New London Theatre, and Wembley Conference Centre and Arena. The intimate 2,000-seat capacity of Alexandra Palace is noted for creating a unique atmosphere for the competition.