What is the prize money at the 2025 Masters Snooker, how much does the winner get?

The 51st edition of professional snooker's most prestigious invitational event takes place at the iconic and atmospheric Alexandra Palace in the north of the capital city between Sunday 12th January to Sunday 19th January.

The Masters - which was first held in 1975 - has only ever featured an exclusive, elite field of players. This year's roster was confirmed following the conclusion of the 2024 UK Championship in early December, with the top 16 from the world rankings at that time being invited to the extravaganza at the 'Ally Pally'.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is the reigning champion. 'The Rocket' won a record-extending eighth Masters crown in early 2024 when he came from behind in the final to defeat Ali Carter. However, O’Sullivan has withdrawn from this year’s event on medical grounds.

An increased and record prize money fund for the 2025 Masters

The Masters is one of snooker's richest competitions, and it has remained with that status in recent times, even with the introduction of several new, very lucrative events on the professional tour.

John Spencer was crowned the first Masters champion in 1975 when he memorably ousted Ray Reardon in the final on a re-spotted black in the deciding frame.

Spencer's monetary reward for that historic victory at the West Centre Hotel in London was £2,000.

Fast forward 50 years later, and the winner of the 2025 Masters will collect £350,000 - the biggest first prize this tournament has ever paid out.

Following a huge increase in prize money across the board, for first time in Masters history, the total prize fund will exceed £1 million.

In 2024, champion O'Sullivan pocketed £250,000 from an overall kitty of £725,000. The title winner in 2025 will scoop £350,000 from the £1,015,000 total prize pot.

As well as contesting one of snooker's fabled Triple Crown Series titles, the finalists at the 2025 Masters will be playing for a difference of over £200,000, with the runner-up taking home £140,000.

Merely having qualified for the tournament - which, of course, is a serious achievement in itself - players are guaranteed at least £25,000 (the amount first round losers receive). This is up £10,000 from 12 months ago.

The prize money payouts for the 2025 Masters Snooker:

• Winner: £350,000
• Runner-up: £140,000
• Semi-final losers: £75,000 (each)
• Quarter-final losers: £40,000 (each)
• First round losers: £25,000 (each)
• Highest break: £15,000 (this is shared equally if the break is matched)
• Total prize fund: £1,015,000

What is the prize for a maximum 147 break at the 2025 Masters Snooker?

The situation around whether there is an additional prize for making a maximum 147 break at this year's Masters needs a bit of explaining.

From the 50 completed editions of the Masters, to date, five 147 breaks have been made, with the first arriving in 1984 by Kirk Stevens during his classic semi-final encounter with eventual champion that year, Jimmy White.

Fans had to wait 23 years for the second Masters 147 when Ding Junhui completed perfection in 2007.

Three Masters 147s have been compiled at the Alexandra Palace. Marco Fu in 2015, and two came at the same tournament in 2024 when Ding (again) and Mark Allen both added to the overall tally.

There is no standalone bonus prize for making a maximum 147 break at the 2025 Masters, however, that’s not the full story.

There is a tournament high break prize of £15,000, and this event is part of the World Snooker Tour’s four-pronged £147,000 bonus prize for making two maximum 147 breaks across a combination of this season’s four biggest events.

A full explanation on the rules for this bonus prize is here. In summary, though, if a player makes two 147s across any combination of these tournaments: 2024 Saudi Arabia Masters, 2024 UK Championship, 2025 Masters, 2025 World Championship - then they will likely scoop a £147,000 bonus.

Zhang Anda - who will be making his second career appearance at the Masters in 2025 - made a 147 at the recent UK Championship in York. Therefore, if he makes one at the Alexandra Palace, he will almost certainly pocket the £147k.

If a player makes two 147s in the event, they will also be eligible.

It’s important to remember that the Masters is an invitational, non-ranking event, therefore any prize money earned in the tournament is not added to a player’s rankings total.

For the 2025 Masters draw, results, and daily match schedule, please visit here.