The World Seniors Snooker Championship returns to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield this May, with an all-star cast of veteran favourites and debutants set to battle it out for the prestigious title. Running from 7 to 11 May 2025, the tournament will once again follow the professional World Championship at snooker’s most iconic venue, offering legends of the game a continued platform to compete at the highest level.
Reigning champion Igor Figueiredo will headline the 16-player line-up, returning to defend the title he won in style last year. The Brazilian made history in 2024 by becoming the first South American to lift the seniors crown and will be looking to repeat that success against some of snooker’s most recognisable names.
Among those aiming to stop him is Jimmy White, who returns in pursuit of a record-extending fifth World Seniors title. The “Whirlwind” has become a fixture at the seniors event and remains one of its biggest draws, having last won the title in 2023. Also returning is 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, who has twice reached the final in recent years and remains hungry for his first seniors triumph.
Making their seniors debut are Joe Perry and Dominic Dale, two recent retirees from the professional circuit and both former ranking event winners. Their inclusion adds a fresh layer of competition to a field that also includes crowd favourites Tony Drago and Tony Knowles, as well as 2018 champion and current seniors world number one Aaron Canavan.
The line-up is rounded out by international qualifiers from Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, reflecting the growing global reach of the seniors tour. Alfie Burden, runner-up in 2023, returns via a special playoff and will once again be hoping to go one better on the Crucible stage.
This year’s format will see all first-round and quarter-final matches played as best-of-seven frames, the semi-finals as best-of-11, and the final contested over a best-of-15 frames, offering fans more competitive snooker and extended drama. All matches will be broadcast live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5, ensuring wide accessibility for fans of the sport.
First staged in 1991, the World Seniors Championship has grown into the pinnacle event of the seniors circuit, particularly since its return to the Crucible in 2019. It has become a beloved fixture that blends nostalgia with genuine competition, allowing retired greats and seasoned professionals to showcase their talents on the sport’s grandest stage.
As the tournament approaches, anticipation is high. For the legends stepping back under the Crucible lights, and for the fans watching, the 2025 edition promises another celebration of snooker’s enduring magic.
