Ronnie O'Sullivan Snubbed From Major Tournament as WST Confirm Replacement

Ronnie O’Sullivan will not take part in next month's Champion of Champions event after the World Snooker Tour (WST) made a late change to the tournament's qualification rules.

The much-anticipated 2025 Champion of Champions will feature 16 of the world’s top players.

As per the WST website, the tournament brings together winners from the past year’s major events, showcasing "a blend of global superstars, established champions, and breakthrough talents".

Jack Lisowski became the 15th player to qualify after winning the Northern Ireland Open last week, meaning he joins the likes of Mark Williams, Zhao Xintong and Judd Trump in the star-studded line-up.

Earlier this year, organisers announced that the 16th and final place would be taken by the highest-ranked player not to have won a tournament, which was set to be world No. 5 Ronnie O’Sullivan.

But the WST has made a late change to the qualification rules, meaning seven-time world champion O’Sullivan has been replaced by reigning World Seniors champion Alfie Burden.

Soon after Burden received the call-up, the 48-year-old expressed his gratitude to the event organisers.

“I’d like to thank the Players Board, Ken [Doherty], Neil [Robertson], Mark [Davis] and Ben [Woollaston]. Also I’d like to thank Jason Ferguson and particularly Jason Francis for their support over the last few days," he said.

“I also want to thank Matchroom for giving me this opportunity and I’m looking forward to playing.”

O'Sullivan, meanwhile, has missed out following an unusually quiet season. He has failed to record a single tournament victory since his win at the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker in March 2024.

Ronnie O'Sullivan pictured at the Saudi Arabia Masters in August. Image credit: Getty

2025 Champion of Champions field confirmed for November 10–16

• Mark Williams – Defending Champion, Xi'an Grand Prix

• Zhao Xintong – World Championship

• Judd Trump – UK Championship

• Shaun Murphy – The Masters, British Open

• Neil Robertson – Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, World Grand Prix

• Mark Allen – Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, English Open

• Kyren Wilson – Players Championship, German Masters, Shanghai Masters

• John Higgins – Tour Championship, World Open

• Xiao Guodong – Wuhan Open

• Mark Selby – Welsh Open, Championship League Snooker Invitational

• Lei Peifan – Scottish Open

• Stephen Maguire – Championship League Snooker Ranking

• Bai Yulu – Women’s World Championship

• Tom Ford – Shoot Out

• Jack Lisowski – Northern Ireland Open

• Alfie Burden – World Seniors Championship