Masters snooker 2024 fixtures, schedule and TV channel as Ronnie O'Sullivan back in action
Snooker returns to our screens this weekend as the 2024 Masters tournament gets underway. Here's everything that you need to know.
Ronnie O'Sullivan and the world's best snooker players are set to lock horns once more as the 2024 Masters gets underway at Alexandra Palace in London today. No sooner had the 'Ally Pally' recovered from the drama of Luke Littler and the PDC World Darts Championship, the television cameras are back to bring us more gripping sporting action, this time on the green baize.
The Masters is the second of this season's Triple Crown events after O'Sullivan won the UK Championship last month.
Judd Trump is the defending champion after he beat Mark Williams 10-8 in last year's final, but we won't start the defence of his crown until Tuesday. Instead, it is left to world champion Luca Brecel to kick off the tournament on Sunday afternoon when he faces Jack Lisowski in the first round.
Express Sport has pull together all the details for your convenience.
When is The 2024 Masters?
The 2024 Masters will take place at Alexandra Palace in London from Sunday, January 7 until Sunday, January 14.
What channel is The Masters on?
The BBC will be showing live coverage from Masters across the tournament. Live action from each round will be available to watch on BBC TV, but if it's uninterrupted coverage that you're after the Beeb has still got you covered.
Full coverage of the event will be available via BBC iPLayer, the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app with extra coverage available on BBC Red Button.
What is the format of The Masters?
The tournament is contested exclusively by the top 16 players in the world in a knockout format. All matches are best of 11 frames except for the final which is best of 19 frames over two sessions. Only one match will take place per session with a maximum of two matches per day.
This year's champion will walk away with £250,000 whilst the runner-up will receive £100,000. An extra £15,000 is on offer for the highest break in the tournament.
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The Masters Match schedule and BBC Coverage
As per the BBC website, here is the full run-down of the tourament schedule and broadcast coverage. All times are subject to change.
First round
Sunday, 7 January
13:00 - Luca Brecel v Jack Lisowski
19:00 - Shaun Murphy v Zhang Anda
Live coverage
13:00-17:15, BBC Two
13:00-23:00, uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
17:10-18:00 and 19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button
Highlights
00:25-01:15, BBC Two
Extra
01:15-03:15, BBC Two
Monday, 8 January
13:00 - Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ding Junhui
19:00 - Mark Williams v Ali Carter
Live coverage
13:00-16:15, BBC Two
13:00-23:00, uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button
Highlights
23:15-00:05, BBC Two
Extra
00:05-02:05, BBC Two
Tuesday, 9 January
13:00 - Judd Trump v Kyren Wilson
19:00 - Neil Robertson v Barry Hawkins
Live coverage
13:00-16:15, BBC Two
13:00-23:00, uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button
Highlights
23:15-00:05, BBC Two
Extra
00:05-02:05, BBC Two
Wednesday, 10 January
13:00 - Mark Allen v John Higgins
19:00 - Mark Selby v Robert Milkins
Live coverage
13:00-16:15, BBC Two
13:00-23:00, uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
19:00-23:00, BBC Red Button
Highlights
23:15-00:05, BBC Two
Extra
00:05-02:05, BBC Two
Quarter-finals
Thursday, 11 January
13:00 - QF3 O'Sullivan or Ding v Robertson or Hawkins
19:00 - QF4 Brecel or Lisowski v Murphy or Zhang
Live coverage
13:00-16:15 & 19:00-20:00, BBC Two
13:00-23:00, uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
20:00-22:00, BBC Four
22:00-23:00, BBC Red Button
Highlights
23:15-00:05, BBC Two
Extra
00:05-02:05, BBC Two
Friday, 12 January
13:00 - QF1 Trump or Wilson v Williams or Carter
19:00 - QF2 Allen or Higgins v Selby or Milkins
Live coverage
13:00-16:15 & 19:00-20:00, BBC Two
13:00-23:00, uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
20:00-22:00, BBC Four
22:00-23:00: BBC Red Button
Highlights
23:05-23:55, BBC Two
Extra
23:55-01:55, BBC Two
Semi-finals
Saturday, 13 January
13:00 - Winner of QF3 v Winner of QF4
19:00 - Winner of QF1 v Winner of QF2
Live coverage
13:15-17:30, BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app
19:00-22:30, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app
Extra
23:55-01:55, BBC Two
Final
Sunday, 14 January
Live coverage
13:00-16:15 & 19:00-22:00, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app