The Masters is one of the most glamorous and celebrated tournaments in professional snooker. As one of the three Triple Crown events — alongside the UK Championship and the World Snooker Championship — it carries enormous prestige. Unlike ranking events, The Masters is an invitation-only tournament contested by the top 16 players in the world rankings, meaning only the very best players in the game participate. First held in 1975, it has been played at Alexandra Palace in north London since 2011 and is beloved for its electric atmosphere and compact, high-quality format.
With a prize fund of £750,000, The Masters offers some of the richest rewards outside of the World Championship and regularly produces some of the finest snooker of the season. The invitation-only format means every match features elite players, and the best-of-11-frames knockout structure ensures tension from the very first session.
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace — affectionately known as "Ally Pally" — is a Victorian-era entertainment and events venue situated on a hill in north London, with sweeping views across the city. The arena used for The Masters holds approximately 2,700 spectators, creating one of the most atmospheric settings in the snooker calendar. The crowd at Ally Pally is famously passionate, knowledgeable, and vocal — a stark contrast to the hushed reverence of the Crucible — and players frequently cite it as one of the most thrilling venues in which to compete.
The venue's grand Victorian architecture and the roar of a near-capacity crowd when a big break is compiled or a crucial safety is won make Alexandra Palace an unmistakable backdrop for snooker's midwinter showpiece. Tickets for The Masters consistently sell out months in advance.
Tournament Format
The Masters uses a straightforward 16-player straight knockout format. The top 16 players in the world rankings at the time of the draw are invited to participate. There are no qualifying rounds — every match takes place at Alexandra Palace.
The final is an evening showcase event, beginning under the famous Ally Pally lights with a full house in attendance.
Prize Money
The 2026 Masters prize fund totalled £750,000.
| Round | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | £250,000 |
| Runner-up | £100,000 |
| Semi-finalists (×2) | £50,000 each |
| Quarter-finalists (×4) | £25,000 each |
| First Round (×8) | £10,000 each |
| Total | £750,000 |
Where to Watch The Masters
The Masters enjoys excellent television coverage in the UK, with the entire tournament broadcast live.
Past Champions (2015–2026)
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Kyren Wilson | 10–7 |
| 2025 | Mark Selby | Zhao Xintong | 10–9 |
| 2024 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Judd Trump | 10–8 |
| 2023 | Judd Trump | Mark Allen | 10–6 |
| 2022 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Neil Robertson | 10–7 |
| 2021 | Neil Robertson | Mark Selby | 10–6 |
| 2020 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Judd Trump | 10–9 |
| 2019 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | David Gilbert | 10–3 |
| 2018 | Mark Allen | Ronnie O'Sullivan | 10–7 |
| 2017 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Joe Perry | 10–7 |
| 2016 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Barry Hawkins | 10–1 |
| 2015 | Neil Robertson | Barry Hawkins | 10–9 |