Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to make a historic attempt this year by aiming to secure two world titles at the Crucible within a month after registering for the World Seniors Snooker Championship. Despite being 50 years old, O’Sullivan continues to be a fierce competitor on the tour and will face off against players now active in the senior circuit. In the upcoming spring, the Rocket will strive to claim the championship for an unprecedented eighth time during his 34th consecutive appearance at the World Championship.
Staying in Yorkshire, O’Sullivan will mark his debut in the senior tournament starting on May 6, scheduled to run over five days. The World Seniors Snooker Tour has confirmed O’Sullivan’s participation, emphasizing his status as the sport’s most commercially successful and captivating figure, with expectations of an exceptionally strong field for the event. He will be joined at the tournament by other world champions such as Mark Williams, Stuart Bingham, and Ken Doherty, as well as notable players like Jimmy White, Matthew Stevens, and Tony Drago.
Chairman Jason Francis expressed excitement about O’Sullivan’s debut at the Crucible in May, highlighting the anticipation for him to add another world title to his illustrious career, which has already generated substantial ticket sales exceeding the previous year’s event. Following the 2025 World Championship, the World Snooker Tour relaxed rules allowing professional players aged 45 or older and ranked in the top 64 to compete in the veterans circuit.
With seven world titles to his name, O’Sullivan’s most recent victory in 2022 tied him with Stephen Hendry’s record, and he aims to secure an eighth title amidst strong competition. Despite their rivalry, Hendry has publicly expressed his admiration for O’Sullivan’s achievements, emphasizing the significance of winning a world title at a young age. Last year, Hendry shared his pride in his own records and indicated his preference for O’Sullivan to attain an eighth victory, acknowledging the exceptional talent required to achieve such milestones early in one’s career.