Ronnie O'Sullivan has announced that he will make a return to the World Seniors Snooker Tour. The 50-year-old player will take part in the British Open held in Derby this December, following his first appearance on the over-40s circuit earlier in the year. O'Sullivan claimed victory at the World Seniors Championship in May at the Crucible, defeating Joe Perry by 10-4 in the final. Perry is the defending champion for the Derby tournament.
O'Sullivan expressed enthusiasm about visiting the Vaillant Live arena. He said: “Derby was always an annual visit on the tour when I was first playing, and the Assembly Rooms was a great venue – Vaillant Live looks even better. I am looking forward to going back there for the British Seniors Open this Christmas. They’ve always loved their snooker in Derby.”
The competition takes place on December 27-28 and includes former UK champion Stephen Maguire. Jimmy White, Mark Davis, Ken Doherty, and 12-time Women's World Championship winner Reanne Evans are also anticipated to participate.
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
Below is a list of snooker World Champions by year. The record applies to the modern era, which started from the 1968-69 season when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association took charge of the sport. The first World Championships began in 1927, experiencing breaks from 1941 to 1945 due to World War II and from 1958 to 1963 because of a sport dispute. Joe Davis with 15 titles, along with Fred Davis and John Pulman with 8 titles each, achieved the most success in that era. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan hold the modern era record with seven titles each.
- 1969 – John Spencer
- 1970 – Ray Reardon
- 1971 – John Spencer
- 1972 – Alex Higgins
- 1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
- 1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
- 1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
- 1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
- 1977 – John Spencer (2)
- 1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
- 1979 – Terry Griffiths
- 1980 – Cliff Thorburn
- 1981 – Steve Davis
- 1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
- 1983 – Steve Davis (2)
- 1984 – Steve Davis (3)
- 1985 – Dennis Taylor
- 1986 – Joe Johnson
- 1987 – Steve Davis (4)
- 1988 – Steve Davis (5)
- 1989 – Steve Davis (6)
- 1990 – Stephen Hendry
- 1991 – John Parrott
- 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
- 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
- 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
- 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
- 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
- 1997 – Ken Doherty
- 1998 – John Higgins
- 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
- 2000 – Mark Williams
- 2001 – Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 2002 – Peter Ebdon
- 2003 – Mark Williams (2)
- 2004 – Ronnie O'Sullivan (2)
- 2005 – Shaun Murphy
- 2006 – Graeme Dott
- 2007 – John Higgins (2)
- 2008 – Ronnie O'Sullivan (3)
- 2009 – John Higgins (3)
- 2010 – Neil Robertson
- 2011 – John Higgins (4)
- 2012 – Ronnie O'Sullivan (4)
- 2013 – Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)
- 2014 – Mark Selby
- 2015 – Stuart Bingham
- 2016 – Mark Selby (2)
- 2017 – Mark Selby (3)
- 2018 – Mark Williams (3)
- 2019 – Judd Trump
- 2020 – Ronnie O'Sullivan (6)
- 2021 – Mark Selby (4)
- 2022 – Ronnie O'Sullivan (7)
- 2023 – Luca Brecel
- 2024 – Kyren Wilson
- 2025 – Zhao Xintong
- 2026 – Wu Yize
Most World Titles (modern era)
- 7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
- 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
- 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
- 2 – Alex Higgins
One spot remains open in the tournament, and World Seniors Snooker chairman Jason Francis anticipates high demand following O'Sullivan's confirmation.
He said: “Last year was the return of snooker to the city and look how Derby welcomed us in person and over 4 million watched on Channel 5. Just imagine what it’s going to be like this year with the World Seniors champion in town. I think a lot of people will be adding to their wish list for Christmas presents today so get your tickets quick.”
O'Sullivan holds the number 13 ranking on the professional tour despite recent struggles. He qualified for the Champion of Champions event in November in Leicester and will play in the UK Championship in York before the seniors tournament.
