The Masters snooker is professional snooker’s most prestigious invitational tournament, contested annually by the world’s top 16 players at Alexandra Palace in London.
Established in 1975 at the West Centre Hotel, the Masters snooker has crowned champions across decades of elite competition in professional cue sports.
The tournament features the strongest snooker players globally, representing one of snooker’s three Triple Crown events alongside the World Championship and UK Championship.
This guide covers the complete Masters snooker winners list from 1975 through 2026, including dominant players, multiple champions, and the evolution of professional snooker at the highest competitive level.
Masters Snooker Champions: Recent Winners 2020-2026
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Final Score |
| 2026 | Kyren Wilson | John Higgins | 10-6 |
| 2025 | Shaun Murphy | Kyren Wilson | 10-7 |
| 2024 | Ronnie O’Sullivan | Ali Carter | 10-7 |
| 2023 | Mark Selby | Shaun Murphy | 10-7 |
| 2022 | Yan Bingtao | Judd Trump | 10-8 |
| 2021 | Mark Selby | Neil Robertson | 10-6 |
| 2020 | Stuart Bingham | Kyren Wilson | 10-6 |
Players with Most Masters Snooker Victories
Ronnie O’Sullivan holds the record for most Masters snooker titles with 8 victories, establishing himself as the tournament’s greatest champion in professional snooker history.
O’Sullivan won his Masters snooker titles across different decades, demonstrating sustained excellence from 1995 through 2024 spanning nearly three decades of elite competition.
Stephen Hendry claimed 6 Masters snooker championships during the 1990s, including a remarkable five consecutive titles from 1989 to 1993. Steve Davis established himself as a legendary champion with multiple victories during the 1980s.
John Higgins secured 4 Masters snooker titles, winning championships between 1999 and 2005 during his peak playing years.
Graeme Dott accumulated 3 Masters snooker victories, while multiple other players achieved 2 titles each including Mark Selby, Paul Hunter, Cliff Thorburn, Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson, Judd Trump, and Mark Williams.
The distribution across different champions shows how Masters snooker competition has remained consistently competitive throughout nearly five decades of professional snooker.
Masters Snooker Champions by Total Wins
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: 8 titles
- Stephen Hendry: 6 titles
- Steve Davis: 3 titles
- John Higgins: 4 titles
- Graeme Dott: 3 titles
- Mark Selby: 3 titles
- Paul Hunter: 3 titles
- Cliff Thorburn: 3 titles
Recent Masters Snooker Winners: 2024, 2025, and 2026
Kyren Wilson won the 2026 Masters snooker championship by defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the final at Alexandra Palace in London. The victory represents Wilson’s first Masters title after reaching previous finals in 2018 and 2025, cementing his status as a champion at snooker’s highest level.
Shaun Murphy won the 2025 Masters snooker by defeating Kyren Wilson 10-7, claiming his second Masters title and establishing himself among the tournament’s greatest champions.
Murphy’s multiple victories across different years showcase his remarkable consistency in professional snooker at the highest level competing in the Paul Hunter Trophy competition.
Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed the 2024 Masters snooker championship with an 10-7 victory over Ali Carter, becoming both the oldest winner of the event at 48 years old while holding the record as the youngest winner at 19 years old—an extraordinary achievement demonstrating longevity across his legendary career in professional snooker.
Scoring and Match Format in Masters Snooker Competition
Masters snooker finals are contested over 19 frames, with the winner being the first player to win 10 frames in the championship match.
Earlier rounds feature best-of-11 frame matches based on tournament structure, creating intense pressure situations throughout Masters snooker competition.
The frame format creates demanding matches requiring both technical skill and mental toughness from the world’s best snooker competitors. Players must maintain concentration across extended matches against elite opposition.
The intimate 2,000-seat capacity at Alexandra Palace creates a unique atmosphere for Masters snooker, with fans sitting close enough to hear every shot and experience the tension directly.
Legendary Masters Snooker Players and Their Achievements
John Spencer won the inaugural Masters snooker in 1975, defeating Ray Reardon 9-8 in the final at the West Centre Hotel in London.
Spencer’s victory established the tournament’s prestige among professional snooker players competing for major titles in the sport’s early invitational era.
Steve Davis dominated Masters snooker during the 1980s, winning multiple championships and establishing himself as one of snooker’s greatest champions during professional snooker’s most popular era in Britain.
His dominance in the tournament reflected his overall excellence in professional snooker competition across ranking and invitational events.
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Masters snooker titles span from 1995 to 2024, demonstrating longevity and sustained excellence across nearly three decades of professional snooker at the highest level.
O’Sullivan achieved the rare feat of becoming both the youngest and oldest winner of the tournament, highlighting his exceptional durability in elite competition.
Masters Snooker Home: Alexandra Palace Evolution
The Masters snooker tournament began at the West Centre Hotel in 1975, then moved to the New London Theatre in 1976 before finding its historic home at Wembley Conference Centre from 1979 to 2006.
The Conference Centre’s iconic status became synonymous with the Masters snooker championship throughout professional snooker history, hosting legendary moments and champions.
Following the Conference Centre’s demolition in 2006, Masters snooker moved to Wembley Arena from 2007-2011 before relocating to Alexandra Palace in 2012.
Alexandra Palace, known affectionately as “Ally Pally,” has hosted the championship since 2012 and is now considered the premier venue for Masters snooker outside the Crucible Theatre, with players praising its atmosphere and conditions.
Tournament Evolution: Changes in Masters Snooker Format
Early Masters snooker tournaments featured 9-frame finals when Ray Reardon won the second championship in 1978.
Modern Masters snooker finals expanded to 10-frame matches in the 1990s and currently feature best-of-19 frame finals, increasing championship drama and requiring greater endurance from competing players.
The Masters snooker field expanded from the original 10 invited players in 1975 to 12 players in 1981 and eventually to the current 16-player invitation format featuring the world’s top professional snooker talent.
This evolution created increasingly competitive tournaments as snooker professionalism grew throughout the 1980s and beyond into the modern era.
Paul Hunter Trophy: Honoring a Legend
The Masters trophy was renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy in 2016 in honor of Paul Hunter, a three-time Masters winner who won in 2001, 2002, and 2004.
Hunter, beloved for his flair and charisma, tragically passed away in 2006 from cancer at just 27 years old, leaving a lasting impact on snooker.
The trophy now serves as a tribute to Hunter’s legacy and contributions to professional snooker. World Snooker officially recognized his significance to the sport by renaming the championship’s most prestigious trophy, making it the Paul Hunter Trophy and ensuring his memory lives on with every Masters victory.
FAQs
What is the Masters snooker tournament?
The Masters snooker is professional snooker’s most prestigious annual invitational championship, contested by the world’s top 16 players at Alexandra Palace in London, featuring best-of-19-frame finals matches.
Which player won most Masters snooker titles?
Ronnie O’Sullivan holds the record with 8 Masters snooker championships won between 1995 and 2024 across nearly three decades of elite competition and professional snooker dominance.
Who won the 2026 Masters snooker?
Kyren Wilson won the 2026 Masters snooker championship by defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the final at Alexandra Palace, claiming his first Masters snooker title after reaching previous finals in 2018 and 2025.
Where is Masters snooker held annually?
The Masters snooker championship is held annually at Alexandra Palace in London, making it professional snooker’s most consistent and iconic invitational venue since 2012, with players citing it as their favorite arena outside the Crucible Theatre.
When was first Masters snooker championship held?
John Spencer won the inaugural Masters snooker in 1975, defeating Ray Reardon 9-8 in the championship final at the West Centre Hotel in London, establishing the tournament’s prestigious status in professional snooker history.
What is the Paul Hunter Trophy?
The Masters trophy was renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy in 2016 to honor the legendary three-time Masters champion Paul Hunter, who tragically passed away in 2006, ensuring his memory remains central to snooker’s most prestigious invitational event.
