Get ready for some jaw-dropping snooker action at the 2026 Masters, where the world's top 16 players will battle it out at Alexandra Palace from January 11-18. But here's where it gets exciting: defending champion Shaun Murphy kicks things off against rising star Wu Yize in a first-round clash that promises fireworks. And this is the part most people miss—World number one Judd Trump faces Ding Junhui in a rematch of their UK Championship quarter-final, where Trump dominated 6-2. Will history repeat itself, or can Ding turn the tables? Controversially, the draw also pits Mark Selby or Ronnie O'Sullivan against Xiao Guodong or Neil Robertson, depending on Sunday's UK Championship final result. This means we could see a blockbuster showdown between two-time Masters winner Robertson and either eight-time champion O'Sullivan or three-time winner Selby—a match that’s sure to divide opinions among fans. Meanwhile, the left-handed duel between Mark Williams and Mark Allen, along with John Higgins' clash against Barry Hawkins, adds even more intrigue to the lineup. But here’s the real question: With such a stacked field, who do you think will lift the trophy this year? Let’s hear your predictions in the comments! Here’s the full first-round draw: Shaun Murphy v Wu Yize, Mark Selby/Ronnie O'Sullivan v Xiao Guodong, Neil Robertson v Mark Selby/Ronnie O'Sullivan, Kyren Wilson v Si Jiahui, Judd Trump v Ding Junhui, Mark Williams v Mark Allen, John Higgins v Barry Hawkins, and Zhao Xintong v Gary Wilson. Who’s your money on?
