The world’s best players contest the Shanghai Masters next month, with the draw throwing up some cracking contests in the high profile non-ranking event.
The world’s top 16 qualify for the tournament, joined by the next four highest ranked Chinese players and four amateur wildcards.
The 24-player draw means the top eight in the world go straight into the last 16, while players ranked 9-16 have to face the Chinese qualifiers.
The Shanghai Masters was first held in 2007 but it was a very different ranking tournament back then, switching to the invitational format in 2018.
Almost a Chinese version of London’s Masters, it has become a fantastic early-season event which always attracts the biggest names in the game.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has especially enjoyed it, winning four editions of the event on the spin from 2017-23, either side of a gap over Covid.
Judd Trump goes in as the defending champion this time round after he beat Shaun Murphy in last year’s final.
When is the Shanghai Masters?
The tournament runs from July 28 to the final on August 3 at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium.
It will be the second trophy handed out of the 2025/26 season after the Championship League comes to a conclusion on July 23.
Shanghai Masters draw and schedule
Monday July 28
UK times
Round One
02.30: Barry Hawkins vs Wu Yize
02.30: Si Jiahui vs Wildcard
07.00: Zhang Anda vs Yuan Sijun
07.00: Chris Wakelin vs Wildcard
12.30: Neil Robertson vs Pang Junxu
12.30: Shaun Murphy vs Wildcard
Tuesday July 29
Round One
02.30: Mark Allen vs Wildcard
02.30: Xiao Guodong vs Lei Peifan
Round Two
07.00: Kyren Wilson vs Si/Wildcard
07.00: Mark Selby vs Murphy/Wildcard
12.30: Ding Junhui vs Zhang/Yuan
12.30: Judd Trump vs Robertson/Pang
Wednesday July 30
Round Two
07.00: Mark Williams vs Allen/Wildcard
07.00: John Higgins vs Xiao/Lei
12.30: Zhao Xintong vs Wakelin/Wildcard
12.30: Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Hawkins/Wu
Shanghai Masters Prize Money
Winner £210,000
Runner-up £105,000
Semi-finals £70,000
Quarter-finals £35,000
Last 16 £17,500
Last 24 £10,000
Trump’s brilliant 2024 win
Trump made a tournament record 10 centuries on his way to the trophy last year, beating Mark Williams, Si Jiahui, O’Sullivan and Murphy along the way.
Speaking after winning the title last year, he said: ‘The age of the crowd in China is so much younger than the rest of the world. I always enjoy playing in front of a fanbase where I can inspire the next generation. I think that is why my record in China is so good,’ said Trump.
‘I want to win as many big tournaments as possible this season. This is probably one of the top five events on the calendar. To win this one early on is an amazing start. I would like to replicate what I did last season and get close to five wins or even more. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better start.’
Shanghai Masters previous winners
Non-ranking event
2024 Judd Trump
2023 Ronnie O’Sullivan
2019 Ronnie O’Sullivan
2018 Ronnie O’Sullivan
Ranking event
2017 Ronnie O’Sullivan
2016 Ding Junhui
2015 Kyren Wilson
2014 Stuart Bingham
2013 Ding Junhui
2012 John Higgins
2011 Mark Selby
2010 Ali Carter
2009 Ronnie O’Sullivan
2008 Ricky Walden
2007 Dominic Dale