The 2026 Masters was the 52nd edition of snooker’s most glamorous invitational, held at Alexandra Palace in London and forming the second Triple Crown event of the 2025-26 season. Kyren Wilson emerged as champion, adding a first Masters title to his 2024 World Championship crown and cementing his place among snooker’s elite.
Quick Facts
| Champion | Kyren Wilson |
| Runner-up | John Higgins |
| Final Score | 10-6 |
| Venue | Alexandra Palace, London |
| Dates | 11-18 January 2026 |
Tournament Recap
Snooker fans arrived at Alexandra Palace in January 2026 with genuine reason for excitement. Defending champion Shaun Murphy was in the field, world number one Judd Trump looked dangerous, and a cast of familiar names including John Higgins, Mark Williams, Mark Selby, and Ding Junhui filled out the draw. Ronnie O’Sullivan, a seven-time Masters winner and perennial talking point at Ally Pally, withdrew before the tournament got underway, which dampened expectations slightly, but the field that remained was more than capable of producing fireworks. The 52nd edition of The Masters was broadcast by the BBC and TNT Sports in the UK, by Eurosport across mainland Europe, and by WST Play in other territories, keeping the tournament’s global profile high.
The early rounds delivered their share of drama. Defending champion Murphy, who had beaten Wilson in the previous year’s final, was knocked out at the first hurdle, a reminder that Ally Pally gives no favour based on history. Judd Trump, often the man most tipped to dominate big-occasion snooker, was beaten by John Higgins in the semi-finals, a result that underlined Higgins’s enduring quality even deep into the later stretch of a career that has spanned four decades at the top. The Wizard of Wishaw reaching the final gave the occasion a familiar, prestigious feel. At 50 years old, Higgins showing up in a Masters final is never a surprise exactly, but it is always a statement. Wilson, meanwhile, navigated his own path to the final with the kind of clinical, grinding efficiency that has defined his game since his world title win in 2024.
The final itself, played on Sunday 18 January, did not quite reach the electric heights that a Higgins showpiece sometimes promises, but Wilson was simply too sharp and too composed on the day. He took the match 10-6, controlling the tempo with his characteristic solid potting and leaving Higgins with too little space to build the big breaks that might have turned the tide. Frame highlights from the session breakdowns show centuries and large contributions from Wilson at key moments, including a 111 and a 103 during the final, which illustrated just how well he was striking the ball throughout the week. Wilson sealed his second Triple Crown title with a performance built on patience and precision rather than flamboyance, which is entirely on brand for a player whose strengths have always been consistency and mental toughness.
For Wilson, the win carried clear emotional weight. He had been beaten in the 2025 Masters final by Murphy, making this redemption of a direct and pointed kind. Winning the UK Championship, the Masters, and the World Championship, the three Triple Crown events, is the ultimate measure of a complete snooker player, and Wilson’s 2026 Masters title means he now holds two of the three. The Kettering cueman continues to build a resume that places him firmly in the conversation alongside the sport’s greatest champions, and a first Masters title on the Ally Pally stage, one of snooker’s most atmospheric arenas, is a chapter that will stay on his record for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Masters snooker tournament?
Kyren Wilson won the 2026 Masters, defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the final at Alexandra Palace in London. It was his first Masters title.
What was the score in the 2026 Masters snooker final?
Kyren Wilson beat John Higgins by 10 frames to 6 in the final, played on Sunday 18 January 2026 at Alexandra Palace.
Where was the 2026 Masters snooker held?
The tournament was held at Alexandra Palace in London, which has been the home of the Masters since 1995 and remains one of snooker’s most iconic and atmospheric venues.
Did Ronnie O’Sullivan play in the 2026 Masters?
No. Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the 2026 Masters before the tournament began, meaning the seven-time champion was not part of the field at Ally Pally that year.
What Triple Crown titles does Kyren Wilson now hold after his 2026 Masters win?
Wilson holds two of the three Triple Crown titles. He won the World Championship in 2024 and added the Masters in 2026, with only the UK Championship still outstanding for him to complete the set.