The 2025 Masters snooker tournament, one of snooker’s prestigious Triple Crown events, is set to unfold at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London from Sunday, January 12th to Sunday, January 19th. This year’s tournament boasts a significant increase in prize money, exceeding £1 million, with a hefty £350,000 awaiting the champion. The tournament features the top 16 players in the world rankings following the UK Championship, competing in a best-of-11 frame format until the final, which expands to a best-of-19 frame contest. Broadcasting rights are shared between Eurosport and the BBC, providing extensive coverage for fans. Eurosport subscribers can stream the tournament live via the discovery+ platform, while free live streaming is also available on the BBC iPlayer.
The 2025 Masters is marked by the notable absence of defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan, who secured a record-extending eighth Masters title last year by defeating Ali Carter 10-7, withdrew from the tournament just two days before its commencement, citing “medical grounds”. O’Sullivan’s withdrawal paved the way for Neil Robertson, ranked 17th at the cut-off point, to step in as a replacement. O’Sullivan’s decision followed a series of underwhelming performances, including three consecutive defeats in the Championship League and a subsequent withdrawal from that tournament after an on-table outburst of frustration. His absence casts a shadow over the tournament, leaving the field open for a new champion to emerge.
The opening round of the Masters features a compelling lineup of matches. Neil Robertson’s unexpected entry saw him facing John Higgins in the inaugural match on Sunday evening. The schedule continues with Shaun Murphy against Gary Wilson, Mark Williams versus Ding Junhui, and Mark Selby taking on Ali Carter. Subsequent matches include Judd Trump facing Barry Hawkins, Mark Allen playing Si Jiahui, Kyren Wilson against Zhang Anda, and Luca Brecel competing with Chris Wakelin. These first-round encounters promise exciting snooker action as the players battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
Following the completion of the first-round matches, the tournament progresses to the quarter-finals, scheduled for Thursday, January 16th, and Friday, January 17th. The pairings for these matches will be determined by the outcomes of the opening round. The semi-finals are slated for Saturday, January 18th, with the afternoon session featuring the winners of Quarter-final 3 and Quarter-final 4, followed by the evening session showcasing the winners of Quarter-final 1 and Quarter-final 2. The culmination of the tournament occurs on Sunday, January 19th, with the final match deciding the 2025 Masters champion.
The tournament’s broadcasting arrangements ensure comprehensive coverage for fans worldwide. Eurosport and the BBC will provide live broadcasts of all matches, offering viewers multiple options to follow the action. Eurosport subscribers can conveniently access live streams through the discovery+ app and website. Furthermore, the BBC iPlayer provides free live streaming access, enabling a wider audience to enjoy the tournament. For those seeking real-time updates, SunSport’s live blog will deliver frame-by-frame coverage of each match, ensuring fans stay informed throughout the competition.
The 2025 Masters promises to be a captivating event, despite the absence of defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan. With a substantial increase in prize money and a strong field of competitors, the tournament is set to deliver high-quality snooker. The revised schedule, incorporating Neil Robertson as O’Sullivan’s replacement, adds an element of unpredictability to the proceedings. The broadcasting arrangements ensure broad accessibility for fans, offering various platforms to follow the tournament from the opening round through to the final. The stage is set for an exciting competition, as the world’s top snooker players vie for the coveted Masters title.
