The Shanghai Masters gets underway on Monday at the Luwan Gymnasium, with the world’s best snooker players battling it out for the prestigious title.
The top 16 in the world make it into the Shanghai Masters and they are joined by the four highest ranked Chinese players outside that elite group, plus four local wildcards.
Judd Trump lifted the trophy last season, beating Shaun Murphy in the final and the world number one will be looking to claim back-to-back titles.
Ronnie O’Sullivan had made the event his own before Trump’s victory last year, winning four editions of the Shanghai Masters on the spin.
There is no shortage of contenders for the silverware, including new world champion Zhao Xintong, who will be playing for the first time since his Crucible triumph.
The likes of Kyren Wilson, Mark Selby, John Higgins and Ding Junhui have all tasted success in Shanghai before and would love to replicate that on Sunday.
One change to the draw since it was made saw Ali Carter replace Mark Allen as the Northern Irishman withdrew due to personal reasons.
Shanghai Masters draw and schedule
The tournament runs from July 28 – August 3.
Monday July 28 (UK times)
Round One
02.30: Si Jiahui vs Wang Xinbo
02.30: Barry Hawkins vs Wu Yize
07.00: Zhang Anda vs Yuan Sijun
07.00: Chris Wakelin vs Zhou Jinhao
12.30: Neil Robertson vs Pang Junxu
12.30: Shaun Murphy vs Han Fuyuan
Tuesday July 29
02.30: Xiao Guodong vs Lei Peifan
02.30: Ali Carter vs Qiu Lei
Round Two
07.00: Mark Selby vs Murphy/Han
07.00: Kyren Wilson vs Si/Wang
12.30: Judd Trump vs Robertson/Pang
12.30: Ding Junhui vs Zhang/Yuan
Wednesday July 30
07.00: John Higgins vs Xiao/Lei
07.00: Mark Williams vs Carter/Qiu
12.30: Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Hawkins/Wu
12.30: Zhao Xintong vs Wakelin/Zhou
How to watch the Shanghai Masters
The tournament is being shown on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK.
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
High break £10,000
Shanghai Masters odds
Judd Trump 16/5
Zhao Xintong 9/2
Kyren Wilson 6/1
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6/1
Mark Selby 8/1
John Higgins 10/1
Ding Junhui 11/1
Mark Williams 12/1
Neil Robertson 14/1
Shaun Murphy 16/1
Ali Carter 22/1
Si Jiahui 25/1
Xiao Guodong 25/1
Chris Wakelin 25/1
Barry Hawkins 25/1
Zhang Anda 40/1
Wu Yize 40/1
Yuan Sijun 50/1
Pang Junxu 125/1
Lei Peifan 125/1
Zhou Jinhao 500/1
Qiu Lei 500/1
Wang Xinbo500/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
Judd Trump on last year’s success
‘I started off firing against Mark Williams and I got better as the tournament went on,’ the defending champion told WST. ‘It was probably one of the best performances I’ve ever produced in a whole event. Nobody really got close to me that week.
‘It sets you up for the whole season. When you get off to a quick start it puts you in a good position. I then won in Saudi straight away after. You are so relaxed after getting the first win. This is important for everyone. It is the first event that all of the top players enter. You don’t know what to expect as you aren’t match sharp. But it is important to put the work in so you come out strongly.’
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