The 2025 JenningsBet World Seniors Championship is set to dazzle snooker fans at the iconic Crucible Theatre from May 7 to May 11, featuring a star-studded lineup that includes the legendary Jimmy White, the 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty, and Brazil’s Igor Figueiredo, who made history last year as the first South American to win the prestigious title.
Figueiredo, now the top seed, will kick off his title defense on the afternoon of May 7, 2025, aiming to replicate his sensational performance from the previous year. Meanwhile, White, known as ‘The Whirlwind’, will be looking to extend his record by claiming a fifth World Seniors Snooker Championship title, starting his campaign on the afternoon of May 8.
"Winning this title again would mean everything to me," said White, who has been a staple of the sport for decades. "The Crucible is my favorite place to play, and I’m excited to get back there and compete with some of the best in the game."
Doherty will also begin his journey on May 8, adding to the excitement of the opening rounds. The tournament will see the debut of former ranking event champions Joe Perry and Dominic Dale, who are eager to make their mark in senior snooker.
Joining the seeded players are Malta’s Tony ‘The Tornado’ Drago, former world number two Tony Knowles, and World Seniors Snooker’s current number one Aaron Canavan, who famously won the championship in 2018. Canavan is one of four players who qualified through the ‘Race to the Crucible Series’, a competitive ranking event that determined their spots in the prestigious tournament.
Other qualifiers through this series include Andrew Norman, Gerard Greene, and Crucible debutant Wayne Townsend, all of whom are looking to make an impact at this year’s event. Additionally, Craig Steadman, Hassan Kerde, Charl Jonck, and Fabio Anderson Luersen have earned their places through continental Seniors Championships held across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas.
As the tournament approaches, anticipation is building not just for the players already confirmed but also for one final competitor. A ‘Golden Ticket’ Play-Off will take place at The Crucible Club in Reading on April 19-20, 2025, where 16 players will compete for the last available spot in the championship. This playoff adds an extra layer of excitement as players vie for a chance to compete on snooker’s biggest stage.
In a related snooker story, Jimmy White has expressed confidence that his friend and fellow snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan will return to action at the World Snooker Championship later in April. O’Sullivan, currently ranked world No. 5, has been absent from competitive play since January, when he had a disappointing outing at the Championship League, losing four of his five matches. His absence has extended to several high-profile tournaments, including the Masters, the German Masters, the Welsh Open, the World Open, and the World Grand Prix.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding O’Sullivan’s participation, White believes he will grace the Crucible with his presence. "He'll be there for sure. It's in his bones," White stated, adding that he expects O’Sullivan to face a challenging campaign due to his lack of match practice. "It’s going to be a bit more difficult for him in the first round because he’s had no match practice, and the players have improved. But I still think he’ll be fine. One thing is for sure with O’Sullivan, he does practice; whatever is going on in his life, he does practice."
O’Sullivan himself has remained coy about his return, indicating that he will likely make a decision close to the April 19 start date. "I don’t have any expectations of what I might do or might not do when I come back. It’s just one of them," he told TNT Sports. "Once you start, you just build momentum, and sometimes you have to be patient with it. At some point, it’s just getting back in there, I suppose, that’s the most important thing."
As the snooker community buzzes with speculation about O’Sullivan’s status, White has pointed out that the seven-time world champion has previously overcome long absences from the sport, even winning the World Championship after a year off. "One year he didn’t play altogether and came back and won it," White recalled, highlighting O’Sullivan’s remarkable ability to bounce back from setbacks.
With the World Seniors Championship just around the corner, excitement is palpable as fans and players alike prepare for what promises to be a thrilling event at the Crucible. The combination of seasoned veterans like White and Doherty, alongside rising stars and international competitors, sets the stage for an unforgettable week of snooker.
As for O’Sullivan, if he decides to join the fray, it could add a dramatic twist to the championship narrative. His return would not only reignite the passion of his fanbase but also raise the stakes as he seeks to extend his legacy in the world of snooker.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the Crucible Theatre, where history is made, and legends are born. Whether it’s the defending champion Figueiredo striving to maintain his crown, White chasing his fifth title, or O’Sullivan making a dramatic return, the 2025 JenningsBet World Seniors Championship promises to deliver excitement and unforgettable moments for snooker enthusiasts.
