Kyren Wilson responds to Ronnie O'Sullivan's comments about Ally Pally conditions ahead of latest Masters bid

The world number two is set to begin his latest title tilt at professional snooker’s most prestigious invitational event against China’s Si Jiahui in round one on the afternoon of Tuesday 13th January.

Wilson is set to make his 10th Masters appearance - all of those have come consecutively since his debut in 2017.

In his second year at the event, Wilson went all the way to the final where he was denied the crown by Mark Allen who scored a 10-7 victory.

Seven years later, in 2025, as the reigning world champion, ‘The Warrior’ reached the title decider for a second time following wins over Zhang Anda, Luca Brecel, and Judd Trump in the earlier rounds. However, he again had to settle for silver in North London as opponent Shaun Murphy completed a 10-7 success to lift The Paul Hunter Trophy.

During a golden run of form that began with his maiden world championship triumph at the Crucible Theatre in May 2024, Wilson doubled his career ranking event tally from five to ten inside just 11 months, although he remains with a solitary Triple Crown accolade.

The 34-year-old Englishman is the only member of the current world’s top eight not to have won a Masters crown, although he is the youngest cueist of that octet, and has time on his side.

After a title victory at the Shanghai Masters in August, it has been a difficult campaign for Wilson, who has been struggling with cue issues, as seen during his first round loss at the UK Championship last month.

Wilson on the Ally Pally environment: “It is hard for players to settle in”

Speaking to 247Bet ahead of his opening assignment against number 15 seed Si, Wilson was asked about his thoughts on the conditions at the Alexandra Palace - the home of the annual event since 2012, except for 2021 due to Covid-19 - and Ronnie O’Sullivan branding the conditions there as ‘disgusting’ in recent years.

Wilson responded: “The Masters is a real showpiece event now for snooker, but it is hard for players to settle in there. It's quite unique in terms of a playing environment.

“It's hard wading through all those empty beer barrels that all of the darts fans have gone through” Wilson joked in reference to the recent PDC World Darts Championship held at the venue.

“But the London crowd always makes up for it. They always turn out in their numbers and make it a really good atmosphere for both players. I think in terms of a spectacle for television viewing, it looks superb with the packed out crowd, the lights, and the big screen TV in the corner. So for me, there are no real problems, but I'm always all for it if it can improve.”

Unlike the uncertain future of the Crucible continuing to host the sport’s blue riband event beyond 2027, it appears there is no talk of the Masters moving from the Alexandra Palace.

Asked about whether he would be open to the idea of the Masters moving venue in the future, Wilson believes the tournament belongs at the Ally Pally, but he did put up a couple of options should such a point arise.

“When something isn't broke, don't fix it. So whilst the Masters is still growing in numbers at the Ally Pally, we should just leave it where it is because it's becoming recognised by people as the home of the Masters. It's been there for many years now, and you need to have that sense of history at the big tournaments.

“If I were to just throw a few suggestions in the mix, maybe somewhere like the O2 Arena, or selfishly, because I'm a Chelsea fan, host it at Stamford Bridge. I’d keep it in London.”

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 Masters, visit here.

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