Best snooker players in the world 2026

Stars of the green baize have never been busier with the World Snooker Tour pretty much being an all-year round operation these days, regularly taking top cueists from one side of the planet to the other to compete in lucrative events.

The sport continues to enjoy very impressive viewing figures both at ‘home’ in the UK and abroad. The Far East is riding another big wave of snooker enthusiasm after China crowned its maiden world champion at the Crucible last year, and new markets have been emerging with the Middle East becoming a big player in recent times.

Read more: Best snooker players of all time

The professional circuit is arguably more unpredictable than it’s ever been with so much strength and depth from its roster. Titles were shared about in 2025 – as new faces made their breakthroughs – leading into a thrilling new year of action.

Taking into consideration results, performances, and reputations, RadioTimes.com attempts to rank the 10 best snooker players in the world right now.

10. Mark Allen

Following the most successful spell of his career to date, in the spring of 2024 Allen became only the 12th player in professional snooker history to reach world number one.

The former Masters and UK Champion was the first cueist from Northern Ireland to achieve the prestigious feat; something that famed fellow countrymen Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor were both unable to achieve.

Since relinquishing his top dog status after a few months, 'The Pistol' - who has made double figures in terms of career ranking titles - hasn't been as consistent on the circuit, although he has continued to add to his trophy count.

9. John Higgins

Long since established as one of the all-time greats, Higgins roared into his 50s with a career-reenergising 2025 that pushed him back into the world's top five.

The Scottish ace returned to the top step of a ranking event podium for the first time in four years at the 2025 World Open and backed that up just a few weeks later with title glory at the Tour Championship.

In 2024, four-time World Champion Higgins – the third most decorated ranking winner, ever - became the second player in professional snooker history to have compiled 1,000 century breaks in competition.

8. Mark Williams

Three-time World Champion Mark Williams wanted to be ranked inside the world’s elite top 16 when he turned 50; he smashed that target as he entered his sixth decade last year.

‘The Welsh Potting Machine’ has enjoyed a couple of very fruitful seasons on tour, claiming gold at the Tour Championship and Champion of Champions in 2024, before creating history in becoming the oldest-ever winner of a ranking event at the Xi’an Grand Prix last October. That feat saw him eclipse compatriot Ray Reardon’s long-standing record.

Williams also became the most senior world championship finalist of all-time in 2025, but he fell at the last hurdle in his bid for a fourth Crucible crown.

7. Kyren Wilson

Wilson realised his dream in the spring of 2024 when he landed snooker’s ultimate prize at the Crucible Theatre for the first time.

'The Warrior' thrived whilst wearing the world crown, taking his career to new levels as he rapidly became a consistent winner of trophies. Within the space of just 11 months, Wilson doubled his career ranking event tally from five to 10.

After losing his world title, Wilson responded by conquering the lucrative Shanghai Masters. He will be very keen to add to his Triple Crown event tally over the coming years, and he has time on his side.

6. Shaun Murphy

It has been over two decades since Murphy stunned the snooker world when as a 22-year-old qualifier he won the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre.

Ever since the greatest day of his career, 'The Magician' has remained within the top echelons of the sport, collecting trophies at regular intervals.

Following a title drought and slight slip down the standings, Murphy bounced back in style during a rejuvenating 2025, claiming his second Masters title at the Ally Pally - his fourth Triple Crown accolade - and ranked success at the British Open.

5. Ronnie O’Sullivan

Widely regarded as the greatest snooker player of all-time, O’Sullivan has endured a frustrating few seasons on the baize, but you’d be foolish to write him off.

Despite his selective schedule and inconsistencies these days, ‘The Rocket’ remains snooker’s flag-bearer and reference point – more ranking titles, Triple Crowns, century breaks, and maximum 147s than anyone else.

Seven-time World Champion O’Sullivan - who is now 50 – still produces those signature moments of genius, such as conjuring up two 147s within the same semi-final match at last year’s Saudi Arabia Masters, an event he was one frame away from winning.

Does O’Sullivan have the same desire and drive? He has nothing to prove but would surely love a record eighth world crown at the Crucible before he hangs his cue up.

4. Zhao Xintong

Zhao created history in 2025 when he became the first player from Asia to win the world professional snooker championship.

It was a fairy-tale comeback for the Chinese cueman, who had not long since returned to the big-time following his 20-month ban for his role in the match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport a few seasons before.

As an amateur, Zhao navigated four qualifying rounds to reach the Crucible where he won a further five matches to claim snooker's blue riband prize.

UK Champion in 2021, Zhao is exciting, attacking, and quick on the baize. He represents snooker’s future.

3. Neil Robertson

The Australian has turned his career around in emphatic fashion over the past couple of seasons and is once again one of the hot favourites for any event he competes in.

In 2024, the former World Champion fell outside the world's top 16 and experienced bitter disappointment after failing to qualify for the Crucible for the first time in two decades.

But 'The Thunder from Down Under' has made positive changes since, winning multiple ranking event crowns, including at the Saudi Arabia Masters where he played beautifully to pocket the biggest payday of his career.

2. Mark Selby

One of the most dominant world number ones the sport has ever seen, Selby rediscovered some of his best form in 2025 as he collected four titles throughout the year.

Left pondering his snooker future after a shock Crucible exit in 2024, the four-time World Champion is another cueist who has impressively flipped his fortunes in recent times.

'The Jester' enjoyed a golden spell near the end of last year, winning the Champion of Champions closely followed by his third UK Championship glory.
That latter success pushed Selby to ten career Triple Crown titles - only three players in the modern era have won more.

1. Judd Trump

Over the past six years, no-one has won more titles or spent as much time as the world number one than Judd Trump.

Despite a trophy-less 2025 - the first year that happened to him on tour since 2013 - the five-time Triple Crown event winner still featured at the business end of several tournaments, reaching at least the final four in each of the ‘big three’.

With over 1,000 top-flight tons to his name - the second-most decorated break-builder, ever - in 2025 Trump became the first player to have made 100 centuries in a single season twice.

Fourth on the all-time list for most ranking event wins, pundits expect the former World Champion to return to the winner’s club again very soon.

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