The MrQ Masters is one of snooker's most prestigious invitational tournaments, featuring only the top 16 players in the world rankings. The prize money has grown significantly since MrQ became the title sponsor, making it one of the most lucrative non-ranking events in professional snooker.
The MrQ Masters has established itself as one of snooker's most financially rewarding tournaments, with prize money reaching unprecedented levels in recent years. As the second Triple Crown event of each season, held annually at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London, the Masters attracts only the world's elite players and offers compensation that reflects this exclusivity. Understanding the prize money structure provides insight into why this invitational tournament holds such prestige within professional snooker.
The Masters tournament has undergone significant financial evolution since online casino MrQ became the title sponsor. The prize fund has increased substantially, making it one of the most lucrative non-ranking events in professional snooker. The 2024 edition featured a total prize pool of £725,000, with winner Ronnie O'Sullivan claiming £250,000 for his record-extending eighth Masters title. This represented a substantial investment in the sport's premier invitational event.
The tournament's financial structure differs from ranking events due to its exclusive 16-player field. Rather than spreading prize money across a large draw with multiple qualifying rounds, the Masters concentrates its fund among the world's top players. This creates a unique economic model where even first-round exits receive significant compensation, while progression through the rounds offers exponential financial rewards.
The 2024 Masters featured a total prize fund of £725,000, distributed across all participating players and performance bonuses. The structure rewarded progression through each stage of the tournament, with the following allocation:
Ronnie O'Sullivan's victory over Ali Carter in the final earned him the full winner's share of £250,000, while Carter received £100,000 as runner-up. The tournament also witnessed two maximum breaks, with both Ding Junhui and Mark Allen achieving 147s during their respective matches. These maximum breaks contributed to the tournament's total prize distribution and highlighted the exceptional quality of play.
Ali Carter set a tournament record by compiling nine century breaks throughout the event, surpassing O'Sullivan's previous record of eight centuries set at both the 2007 and 2009 Masters. Carter also became the first player to make three consecutive century breaks at the Masters during his quarter-final match, demonstrating the high-caliber performance that the prize structure incentivizes.
The 2025 Masters witnessed a dramatic increase in prize money, with the total fund rising to £1,015,000, representing a £290,000 increase from the previous year. This substantial boost reflected the tournament's growing commercial success and the sport's expanding financial landscape. The winner's share increased to £350,000, making it the single largest prize in Masters history.
The complete 2025 prize money structure includes:
This distribution represents significant increases across all stages of the tournament. First-round participants saw their guaranteed earnings rise from £15,000 to £25,000, a 67% increase. Quarter-finalists benefited from a £10,000 increase to £40,000, while semi-finalists received £15,000 more at £75,000 each. The runner-up prize jumped from £100,000 to £140,000, ensuring that the finalist also received substantial compensation.
The year-on-year growth demonstrates the Masters' increasing financial strength. The winner's prize increased by £100,000 or 40% between 2024 and 2025, while the total prize fund grew by approximately 40% overall. This growth rate exceeds inflation and reflects genuine investment in player compensation rather than merely maintaining purchasing power.
The MrQ Masters operates as a knockout tournament where prize money is allocated based on the stage each player reaches. Unlike ranking events, only 16 players compete, which allows for a more concentrated prize pool distribution. Each round offers guaranteed minimum earnings, with substantial increases as players progress through the tournament stages.
The tournament structure ensures that even first-round exits receive significant compensation, while the winner takes home the largest share. The prize fund is distributed across all participating players, with additional bonuses available for achieving the highest break of the tournament. This structure incentivizes both progression and high-quality play throughout the event.
The prize increases also align with other Triple Crown events, maintaining the Masters' position as a premier tournament. While the UK Championship and World Championship offer different prize structures due to their ranking status and larger fields, the Masters' concentrated prize pool ensures top-tier compensation for the world's best 16 players.
The Masters has experienced substantial prize money growth throughout its history, particularly since MrQ became the title sponsor. Prior to this partnership, prize funds were considerably lower, with the winner's share typically ranging between £150,000 and £200,000 in the years immediately preceding MrQ's involvement. The sponsorship deal transformed the tournament's financial landscape, enabling the dramatic increases seen in 2024 and 2025.
Comparing the current prize structure to earlier decades reveals the sport's commercial evolution. In the tournament's early years during the 1970s and 1980s, prize money was measured in thousands rather than hundreds of thousands of pounds. The gradual professionalization of snooker, combined with increased television coverage and commercial partnerships, has enabled the exponential growth in player compensation.
MrQ's sponsorship has been instrumental in elevating the Masters' financial profile. Online casino sponsorships have become increasingly common in snooker, providing substantial funding that directly benefits players through enhanced prize money. The partnership model ensures that commercial success translates into tangible rewards for competitors, creating a sustainable financial ecosystem for professional snooker.
The Masters occupies a unique position within snooker's Triple Crown alongside the UK Championship and World Championship. While all three events carry immense prestige, their prize structures differ based on format and field size. The 2023 UK Championship offered a total prize fund of £1,205,000 with a winner's share of £250,000, distributed across a much larger field including qualifying rounds.
The World Championship, as snooker's flagship event, traditionally offers the largest total prize fund and winner's share. However, the Masters' concentrated 16-player field means that average earnings per participant can be higher than larger tournaments. This creates a scenario where reaching the Masters guarantees substantial minimum earnings, whereas larger events require progression through multiple rounds to achieve comparable compensation.
The non-ranking status of the Masters also distinguishes it from the UK Championship and World Championship. While ranking points provide additional incentive at those events, the Masters relies purely on prize money and prestige to attract the world's best players. The substantial prize increases in 2025 ensure that financial compensation remains competitive with ranking events, maintaining the tournament's appeal.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's eight Masters titles have generated substantial career earnings from this tournament alone. His 2024 victory, combined with previous wins, has made him the highest-earning Masters player in history. At age 48 years and 40 days, O'Sullivan became the oldest Masters winner, adding to his distinction as also being the youngest winner from the 1995 event. This unique achievement spans nearly three decades of elite competition.
Ali Carter's runner-up finish in 2024, despite the loss, earned him £100,000 and showcased his exceptional form throughout the tournament. His record nine centuries demonstrated the level of performance required to compete at the Masters, even without securing the title. Such performances illustrate how the prize structure rewards consistent high-quality play throughout the event.
The 2024 Masters featured two maximum breaks, with Ding Junhui and Mark Allen both achieving 147s. These were the fourth and fifth maximum breaks in Masters history, highlighting the rarity of this achievement at the tournament. While maximum breaks typically carry separate bonus prizes at many events, the Masters' high break prize of £15,000 provides additional financial incentive for exceptional scoring.
The MrQ Masters prize money structure reflects the tournament's status as one of snooker's most prestigious events. The substantial increases between 2024 and 2025, with the total fund reaching £1,015,000 and the winner's share climbing to £350,000, demonstrate the tournament's financial strength and commitment to rewarding the world's best players. The concentrated 16-player field ensures that all participants receive significant compensation, while the stage-based distribution creates clear financial incentives for progression.
As snooker continues to grow commercially, the Masters' prize money will likely continue evolving. The partnership with MrQ has proven beneficial for players, fans, and the sport's overall development. The tournament's combination of elite competition, historic venue, and substantial prize money ensures its continued prominence within professional snooker's calendar. For players, qualifying for the Masters through world ranking position represents not only sporting achievement but also guaranteed significant earnings and the opportunity to compete for one of snooker's largest single-tournament prizes.
The 2024 MrQ Masters winner received £250,000. Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed this prize after defeating Ali Carter 10-7 in the final, securing his record-extending eighth Masters title.
The 2025 Masters features a total prize fund of £1,015,000, representing a £290,000 increase from the 2024 tournament. The winner's share increased to £350,000, the largest single prize in Masters history.
First-round participants at the 2024 Masters earned £15,000 each. This increased to £25,000 for the 2025 tournament, representing a 67% increase in guaranteed minimum earnings for all 16 competitors.
The high break prize at the MrQ Masters is £15,000. This bonus is awarded to the player who achieves the highest break of the tournament, incentivizing maximum scoring throughout the event.
The 2023 UK Championship offered a total prize fund of £1,205,000 with a winner's share of £250,000, similar to the 2024 Masters. However, the UK Championship distributes this across a much larger field including qualifying rounds, while the Masters concentrates its fund among only 16 players.
Maximum breaks at the Masters contribute to the high break prize of £15,000. The 2024 tournament featured two maximum breaks by Ding Junhui and Mark Allen, which were the fourth and fifth 147s in Masters history.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has earned the most prize money from the Masters throughout his career, with eight tournament victories generating substantial cumulative earnings. His wins span from 1995 to 2024, making him the most successful player in Masters history.
The 2025 Masters prize money increased by £290,000 due to the tournament's growing commercial success and MrQ's continued sponsorship investment. This reflects snooker's expanding financial landscape and commitment to rewarding elite players with competitive compensation.
The MrQ Masters is supported by leading partners in sports broadcasting and entertainment, ensuring world-class coverage and player compensation.
Comprehensive analysis of how Masters prize money compares to the UK Championship and World Championship across all tournament stages and player earnings.
Explore the greatest achievements in Masters history, including maximum breaks, century records, and the players who have dominated the tournament's prize money earnings.
The 2025 Masters features a £290,000 increase in total prize money, with the winner receiving £350,000, the largest single prize in tournament history.
Eight-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrew from the 2025 Masters on medical grounds, with Neil Robertson replacing him in the 16-player field.
Ali Carter compiled nine centuries during the 2024 Masters, surpassing Ronnie O'Sullivan's previous record of eight centuries set in 2007 and 2009.