How Ronnie O'Sullivan could face Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White in epic Crucible battle as snooker GOAT reveals unique plan
By Desmond Kane
Published 23/02/2026 at 15:07 GMT
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Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to chase double Crucible glory at the World Championship and World Seniors Championship. The snooker GOAT has won the sport's biggest tournament in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022, but has yet to compete in the seniors event. He will be joined by Jimmy White, Mark Williams and Stuart Bingham in a high-quality field in Sheffield.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O'Sullivan will aim to complete a unique double when he competes at the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible in May.
The Dubai-based snooker GOAT will chase a record eighth world title at the celebrated venue between April 18 to May 4, but plans to go for further glory by entering the seniors event a week later (May 6-10).
The competition is likely to be fierce with fellow world champions Mark Williams, Stuart Bingham and Ken Doherty all set to chase the title.
Four-time seniors winner Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White competes alongside 12-time women's world champion Reanne Evans and former UK and Masters holder Matthew Stevens as Shoot Out winner Alfie Burden defends the trophy.
Former Welsh Open champions Joe Perry and Robert Milkins are also included in a 24-player field that will see the competition, open to players over the age of 45, use two Crucible tables for the first time.
A match between O'Sullivan and White, two of the most popular players in snooker history, would be a huge draw for fans.
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Their only previous meeting at the Crucible came in the quarter-finals in 1998 when O'Sullivan enjoyed a 13-7 win over the six-time world runner-up - a year that saw John Higgins win the first of his four titles in Sheffield.
At the age of 50, Higgins became the oldest player to reach a major final at the Players Championship in Telford on Sunday since Rex Williams, then 53, lost 10-6 to White at the 1986 Grand Prix in Reading.
The Scot led world champion Zhao Xintong 7-6 but lost momentum in the closing stages as his opponent reeled off the final four frames to prevent Higgins from becoming the oldest ranking event winner of all time.
Fellow 'Class of '92' icon Williams continues to hold the record following his 10-3 win over Shaun Murphy in the Xi'an Grand Prix final in October.
Meanwhile, O'Sullivan misses the Welsh Open in Llandudno this week, but is due to take on Ross Muir in the first round of next month's World Open in Yushan, March 16-22, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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