Snooker fans, hold onto your cues! The 2026 Masters at Alexandra Palace in London has already delivered drama, history, and a statistical oddity that has left the sporting world scratching its collective head. As the world’s top 16 players converged on the iconic north London venue from January 11th to January 18th, few could have predicted the wild twists that would unfold in the tournament’s opening days.
Heading into this year’s Masters, Shaun Murphy was the man to beat. The defending champion arrived with high hopes after his dazzling run last year, which included a rare maximum break en route to the title. But snooker, as always, is a game of fine margins and big surprises. Murphy’s campaign was cut shockingly short in the very first round, as rising Chinese star Wu Yize dismantled him 6-2 in what many are already calling one of the upsets of the season. As if that wasn’t enough, UK Championship winner Mark Selby suffered the same fate, falling 2-6 to Xiao Guodong in another stunner on opening day.
The tournament’s start quickly set the tone for a week packed with unpredictability. Incredibly, all eight first-round matches ended with the exact same scoreline: 6-2. Yes, you read that right—every single match! The odds of such a feat? According to Ladbrokes, an eye-watering 17,106,011 to one. Neil Robertson, who booked his spot in the next round with a 6-2 victory over Chris Wakelin, joked after his match, "I wasn't even thinking about winning the match - I was thinking just win it 6-2. I didn't know if someone in the audience had maybe had a pound on all the matches being the same scoreline or something. It is amazing. I hope I have made someone a multi-millionaire. I have never seen anything like that before."
Legendary seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry was equally gobsmacked, telling the BBC, "It is phenomenal. You would normally at least [see] three 6-5 scores because of the nature of the tournament. It has been incredible. After the interval players have really stepped up."
For those who love a good storyline, the Masters has not disappointed. Judd Trump, entering as the world number one and the bookies’ favorite, looked sharp in his first-round win over Ding Junhui, also by the now-familiar 6-2 margin. Trump’s self-assurance was evident as he told reporters, "I feel confident and have got to a few finals recently and it has taken some good players to stop me. I am full of confidence and hopefully I can go one better this tournament. I have had a month off tournaments but still been putting the work in." He even quipped, "I convinced myself my game would not be 6-2 and at 3-0 up I thought, 'at least I can't lose 6-2.'" But sure enough, the streak continued.
This year’s Masters has also seen its share of unexpected absences. Eight-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew at the eleventh hour due to medical reasons, a move that sent ripples through the snooker world. O’Sullivan’s spot was filled by Chris Wakelin, but Wakelin’s stay was brief, as he too was dispatched 6-2 by Neil Robertson. The absence of O’Sullivan, a perennial crowd favorite, changed the tournament’s complexion, opening up the draw for the rest of the field.
The rest of the first round followed the same uncanny pattern: Mark Allen toppled Mark Williams 6-2, Zhao Xintong cruised past Gary Wilson 6-2, Kyren Wilson overcame Si Jiahui 6-2, and John Higgins bested Barry Hawkins 6-2. Statisticians and fans alike marveled at the sequence, with social media abuzz over the unlikely run. For punters, it was a tantalizing—if nearly impossible—combination that would have turned a single pound into a multi-million-pound payout.
With the first round in the books, attention quickly shifted to the quarter-finals. Thursday, January 15th, brought a double-header: John Higgins squared off against Zhao Xintong in the afternoon, while Judd Trump faced Mark Allen in the evening session. On Friday, Wu Yize took on Xiao Guodong, and Neil Robertson clashed with Kyren Wilson. The semi-finals were set for Saturday, January 17th, and the grand finale loomed on Sunday, January 18th. All matches were broadcast live on BBC platforms, ensuring fans could follow every frame from home or on the go.
Beyond the drama on the baize, there’s serious money at stake. The Masters boasts a total prize pot of £1,015,000, with the winner set to pocket a cool £350,000 and the runner-up £140,000. Even first-round exits are worth £25,000, while the highest break of the tournament will earn its maker an extra £15,000. The stakes are high, and with so many heavyweights already sent packing, the door is wide open for a new champion—or perhaps a familiar face reclaiming glory.
Fans have been quick to debate who might seize the moment. With Murphy and Selby out, and O’Sullivan absent, the likes of Trump, Robertson, Allen, and Zhao Xintong have emerged as frontrunners. Each brings a unique style and pedigree to the table, and with the pressure mounting, every shot is magnified.
Looking back, the Masters has always been known for its intensity and unpredictability. The event, the second jewel in snooker’s Triple Crown, is famed for its elite field and electric atmosphere. Alexandra Palace, with its storied history and raucous crowds, has once again proven to be the perfect stage for snooker’s best to showcase their skills—and nerves.
As the tournament heads into its decisive stages, one thing is certain: the 2026 Masters has already etched its place in snooker folklore. Whether the quarter-finals will break the 6-2 curse or see the pattern continue is anyone’s guess. Ladbrokes, never shy about a quirky market, has even offered 400/1 odds on all quarter-final matches finishing 6-2. Stranger things have happened, but after this week, who would dare bet against another twist?
So, as the world’s best potters line up their shots under the bright lights of Ally Pally, fans can only wonder what surprises remain in store. With the action intensifying and the stakes higher than ever, snooker’s grandest stage is once again delivering the kind of spectacle that keeps viewers glued to their screens. The only question left: who will rise above the rest and claim the Masters crown this year?
For now, the drama rolls on. The baize is set, the players are ready, and if the first round is any indication, the 2026 Masters is far from finished serving up the unexpected. Stay tuned—this one’s not over yet!
