The 2025 edition of The Masters runs from January 12 to 19 at Alexandra Palace in London; Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his ninth title bid against John Higgins; O'Sullivan and Higgins met in the finals of 1995, 2005 and 2006. Judd Trump faces Barry Hawkins in a final rematch for the UK Championship
Last updated: 01/07/25 at 4:23 pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the Masters a record eight times
Ronnie O'Sullivan will face John Higgins in the opening round of the 2025 Masters on Sunday – 30 years after the snooker greats met in the final.
O'Sullivan beat Higgins 9-3 in 1995 to win the first of his eight Masters titles, and the two then competed in two more finals at the prestigious event, in 2005 and 2006.
The Rocket defeated Higgins 10-3 in 2005, but Higgins got revenge a year later, outscoring fellow Class of '92 graduate 10-9 after a stunning clearance in the final frame.
O'Sullivan will play John Higgins in the opening round at Alexandra Palace on Sunday
O'Sullivan enters the 2025 Masters at Alexandra Palace as the defending champion after beating Ali Carter 10-7 in the 2024 final, but he is yet to get past the semi-finals of any tournament this season.
The 48-year-old was eliminated in the first round of the recent UK Championship in York, an event won by world number one Judd Trump when he beat O'Sullivan's conqueror Barry Hawkins 10-8.
Trump and Hawkins will meet again in the opening round of the Masters, which will be held from January 12 to 19, while world champion Kyren Wilson will face Zhang Anda.
World number one Judd Trump won the UK Championship, defeating Barry Hawkins in the final
Another notable draw pits two-time Masters champion Mark Williams against 2011 winner Ding Junhui.
The Masters is an invitational event where the top 16 players in the world are awarded places.
No ranking points are awarded but the championship is one of the most valuable tournaments on the calendar and forms part of the Triple Crown, along with the World Championship and the UK Championship.
Round 1 (Best of 11 Frames)
Sunday 12 January
One o'clock in the afternoon
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs John Higgins
7 pm
Shaun Murphy vs. Gary Wilson
Monday 13 January
One o'clock in the afternoon
Mark Williams vs. Ding Junhui
7 pm
Mark Selby vs. Ali Carter
Tuesday 14 January
One o'clock in the afternoon
Judd Trump vs. Barry Hawkins
7 pm
Mark Allen vs. C Jiahui
Wednesday 15 January
One o'clock in the afternoon
Kyren Wilson vs Zhang Anda
7 pm
Luca Brecel vs. Chris Wakelin
Quarter-finals (best of 11 frames)
O'Sullivan/Higgins v Murphy/G Wilson
Allen/See v. Selby/Carter
Trump/Hawkins v. Williams/Deng
Brecel/Wakelin vs K Wilson/Zhang