Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to make a comeback at the upcoming German Masters in January after a hiatus of nine years from the tournament. Known as “The Rocket,” O’Sullivan has been absent from the main stages of the event since 2017 but is now confirmed to compete for the £550,000 prize.
Having not participated in the German Masters since his last entry nine years ago, O’Sullivan faced setbacks in previous attempts, including a 5-0 loss to Hossein Vafaei during the qualifiers in Cannock earlier this year, preventing his appearance in Germany.
The 50-year-old snooker star is slated to face Haris Tahir, Zhao Hanyang, or Long Zehuang in his opening match as one of the top 16 seeds. The draw for the tournament, with Ding Junhui as the only notable absentee, has been revealed on the German Masters’ official website.
The competition is scheduled to kick off on January 26 at the Tempodrom in Berlin, with Kyren Wilson defending his title after a thrilling 10-9 victory over Barry Hawkins earlier this year. Notable contenders including Judd Trump, Mark Selby, and Neil Robertson are also geared up for the event.
O’Sullivan’s history of last-minute withdrawals has left fans anticipating his appearance in the 2026 edition of the tournament. Despite being ranked eighth globally, O’Sullivan has yet to secure a ranking event win in the current season. His recent move from Essex to Dubai following his marriage to actress Laila Rouass has provided a new perspective on his career.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Sky has unveiled a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering over 1,400 live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky is set to broadcast at least 215 live Premier League games, a significant increase from previous seasons.