Ronnie O’Sullivan and Joe Perry will contest the final of the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship on Sunday at the Crucible Theatre.
The English duo emerged from tight semi-final clashes on Saturday to move within one victory of claiming the title for the first time in Sheffield.
In terms of likely finals that would have been predicted at the start of the week, this match-up would have been high up on the list.
O’Sullivan may only have been given fourth seed status, but the Rocket was the obvious pre-tournament favourite as the only member of the world’s top 16 in the field.
The Rocket’s inclusion in the tournament has divided opinion, with many understanding the marketing value of having an all-time great involved.
Others, though, have questioned whether or not O’Sullivan’s presence devalues the World Seniors Snooker Tour considering he is still one of the main protagonists on the main professional tour.
For Perry, the 51 year-old is bidding to capture back-to-back seniors titles having won his maiden silverware on the circuit at the British Seniors Open in December.
The tournament’s second seed retired from the World Snooker Tour last year but can evidently still perform to a high level.
Both O’Sullivan and Perry came through tough semi-final tests, respectively beating Robert Milkins and Craig Steadman with 7-5 scorelines.
There wasn’t much safety or negative play in the O’Sullivan and Milkins bout, with each player going for any pot they had a sniff at.
It made it an entertaining but unpredictable affair, with plenty of nice shots mixed in with unexpected misses leaving the outcome as anyone’s guess right up until the climax.
O’Sullivan, who is a 1/7 favourite in the sports betting market with Boyle Sports, doesn’t really seem to be giving it 100%, but the 50 year-old is nevertheless into the final where he could yet land the £30,000 top prize.
Perry, meanwhile, fought his way back from 3-0 down to overcome Steadman by the same narrow margin.
After falling behind early on, the Gentleman took five frames on the spin to take the front.
Steadman won two out of the following three frames to stay in the hunt, but Perry duly saved his best for last and compiled a break of 102 to seal victory.
O’Sullivan and Perry encountered each other 20 times on the World Snooker Tour before the latter’s retirement.
There were several high-profile affairs, including a Masters final in 2017 and a World Championship tie in 2014 which both went close.
O’Sullivan, though, has generally had the upper hand with Perry only managing two triumphs – the last of which transpiring all the way back in 2008 at the UK Championship.
The former Welsh Open champion will obviously be the underdog here, but causing an upset isn’t beyond the realms of possibility either.
Aside from the John Virgo Trophy last month – a small event featuring only four players – O’Sullivan hasn’t won silverware of note since March in 2024.
Either way, it promises to be an interesting conclusion to what has been a controversial edition of the World Seniors Snooker Championship.
Following criticism of the lineup, the tables, and its treatment of the defending champion, there is still the chance that the tournament could end with fireworks and an entertaining finale on the baize.
The Crucible Theatre, as usual, will provide a fitting backdrop with there set to be an electric atmosphere inside the iconic venue again.
The 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship final between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Joe Perry takes place over 19 frames, with sessions commencing at 12:30 and 19:00 BST.
There is live coverage across the 5 platform in the UK and on Pluto TV in selected regions.
Featured photos credit: WST
