How to watch the 2026 Masters on TNT Sports and discovery+: When is it? Who is playing? What is the format? How much is the prize money?

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Here is everything you need to know to catch every second of the 2026 Masters, including the format, the prize money and a breakdown of who is playing. Shaun Murphy came out on top in last year's tournament, beating Kyren Wilson 10-7 in a thrilling final. Some of the sport's biggest names are set to be involved, including Mark Williams and Judd Trump.

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Snooker will return to Alexandra Palace for the 2026 Masters, and some of the biggest names in the sport will be involved.

Shaun Murphy will be hoping to defend his crown after he beat Kyren Wilson 10-7 in a thrilling final last year.

This is the second Triple Crown event of the 2025/26 campaign, following on from the UK Championship, which was won by Mark Selby last month in York.

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With so much at stake heading into a crucial stage of the season - the World Championship in Sheffield is now just three months away - here is everything you need to know to catch every second of the action from the 2026 Masters on TNT Sports and discovery+.

When is the 2026 Masters?

The 2026 Masters will get underway on Sunday, January 11, at Alexandra Palace in London.

The tournament will continue until the final, which is scheduled for Sunday, January 18.

Murphy will get the defence of his crown up and running against China’s Wu Yize in the first round.

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How to watch and stream the 2026 Masters

The 2026 Masters will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The tournament will start with four days of first-round action, from January 11-14. The quarter-finals will be played on January 15 and 16, the semi-finals on January 17 and the final on January 18.

Who is playing at the 2026 Masters?

Murphy and Wu’s first-round clash is just one of several mouth-watering matches that will take place at the tournament.

The first round will also see Selby take on Xiao Guodong and Neil Robertson go head-to-head with Chris Wakelin following the late withdrawal of eight-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Last year’s losing finalist, Wilson, will play Si Jiahui in the first round, while twice former winner Judd Trump will face off with 2011 champion Ding Junhui. Mark Williams will hope to get the better of Mark Allen.

John Higgins and Barry Hawkins will also meet in the first round, with Zhao Xintong set to play Gary Wilson.

What is the format for the 2026 Masters?

The tournament is contested between the top 16 players in the snooker world rankings after the 2025 UK Championship.

It is a straight knockout tournament with all the matches up to the final being best of 11 frames.

The final will then be contested as the best of 19 frames, over two sessions.

What is the 2026 Masters prize money?

Winner: £350,000
Runner-up: £140,000
Semi-finals: £75,000
Quarter-finals: £40,000
Last 16: £25,000
High break: £15,000
Total: £1,015,000

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Former Masters champions

2025: Shaun Murphy
2024: Ronnie O'Sullivan
2023: Judd Trump
2022: Neil Robertson
2021: Yan Bingtao
2020: Stuart Bingham
2019: Judd Trump
2018: Mark Allen
2017: Ronnie O'Sullivan
2016: Ronnie O'Sullivan
2015: Shaun Murphy
2014: Ronnie O'Sullivan
2013: Mark Selby
2012: Neil Robertson
2011: Ding Junhui
2010: Mark Selby
2009: Ronnie O'Sullivan
2008: Mark Selby
2007: Ronnie O'Sullivan
2006: John Higgins
2005: Ronnie O'Sullivan
2004: Paul Hunter
2003: Mark Williams
2002: Paul Hunter
2001: Paul Hunter
2000: Matthew Stevens
1999: John Higgins
1998: Mark Williams
1997: Steve Davis
1996: Stephen Hendry
1995: Ronnie O'Sullivan
1994: Alan McManus
1993: Stephen Hendry
1992: Stephen Hendry
1991: Stephen Hendry
1990: Stephen Hendry
1989: Stephen Hendry
1988: Steve Davis
1987: Dennis Taylor
1986: Cliff Thorburn
1985: Cliff Thorburn
1984: Jimmy White
1983: Cliff Thorburn
1982: Steve Davis
1981: Alex Higgins
1980: Terry Griffiths
1979: Perrie Mans
1978: Alex Higgins
1977: Doug Mountjoy
1976: Ray Reardon
1975: John Spencer

Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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