A “super-seniors” event featuring 19 players was also held at the same venue over the week-end. It was won by Andy Milliard who beat Andrew Norman by 2-0 in the final.
Steadman Seals Crucible Return with European Glory
Craig Steadman defeated Mark Joyce 5-3 in the final of the EBSA European Seniors Snooker Championship in Golem, Albania.
Glory in Golem saw the 43-year-old Englishman successfully defend his title and earn a return to the iconic Crucible Theatre for the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship.
A field of 78 players embarked on the Grand Blue Fafa Resort for the individual Seniors event, organised by the European Billiards & Snooker Association (EBSA), and Steadman made a strong start to his title defence with a clean sweep of victories over Shane Gorman, Olivier Pechenart and Olsi Hysa.
The Englishman, who faced Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Crucible Theatre during his professional career, then overcame Marcin Nitschke (4-1), Kevin Hanssens (4-2) and Gary Thomson (4-2) to set up a semi-final meeting with Wales’ Philip Williams.
Steadman started strongly with visits of 63 and 65, but Williams hit back to restore parity at 2-2 with a break of 60.
Two scrappier frames followed but it was the Englishman who was able to take them and join fellow countryman Joyce in the title match.
Joyce had beaten former world number eight Darren Morgan in the semi-finals and showed excellent scoring form in the final as he made breaks of 110 and 117.
It was Steadman, however, who took home the title after taking the opener with a break of 83 and then never falling behind as he went on to secure a 5-3 victory.
Stuart Bingham Completes British Seniors Open Line-Up
World Seniors Snooker (WSS) is delighted to announce that the 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham will complete the field for the British Seniors Open at Vaillant Live in Derby on 26-28 December 2025 which will be shown live on Channel 5.
Known as ‘Ballrun’, the former world champion makes his WSS Tour debut alongside Matthew Stevens and Anthony Hamilton who join Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Joe Perry, Dominic Dale and reigning World Seniors champion Alfie Burden.
Bingham said “It is a great privilege to be invited to play in the British Seniors Open. I am really looking forward to being one of the youngest playing for a change and not one of the oldest! It is a fresh direction playing in Derby and having Channel 5 broadcasting the event. Exciting times ahead!”
Jason Francis, WSS Chairman, said “It is exciting times for seniors snooker with three decorated players making their debuts in Derby. Stuart is a former world and Masters champion who was number two in the world as recently as 2017, so he will come into this event as one of the favourites for sure”
In a way that may surprise many, the fact that WST and WSS couldn’t come to an agreement means that professionals who meet the “age criteria” are now free to compete in the Seniors Tour events provided that there is no “calendar clash” with the Main Tour events. This is why we are seing “new faces” in Seniors events, which is very welcome. Those players, who are still competing on the main tour, play at a very high standard, of course, and we are going to see very high quality matches on the Seniors tour as a result.
Igor Figueiredo Wins Pan American Seniors Title to Earn Crucible Return
Igor Figueiredo defeated Noel Rodrigues Moreira 4-1 in the final of the 2025 Pan American Seniors Snooker Championship at the Aryan Snooker Club in Sacramento, California.
Success for Figueiredo earns him a place in the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre – the iconic venue where he defeated Ken Doherty in the 2024 final to win the biggest title of his career to date.
The Brazilian defeated his fellow countryman to lift the continental seniors crown for the second time in three years, having also won the title in 2023 on home soil in Rio de Janeiro.
Figueiredo kicked off the event in style with an opening day break of 141, the highest of the tournament, and went on to top the six-player group phase with a clean sweep of victories and no frames dropped.
Knockout round wins against the American duo of Steven Wong (3-0) and Daren Mark Taylor (4-1) saw the 47-year-old join an all-Brazilian semi-final line-up alongside Itaro Santos, Moreira and defending champion Fabio Anderson Luersen.
A top break of 44 was enough for Figueiredo to defeat fellow former professional Santos 4-1 in the last four to set up a title match meeting with Moreira after he had been victorious by the same scoreline.
Figueiredo raced into a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven frame final with contributions of 35 and 62 and, despite a brief rally from Moreira, a further break of 60 saw the Brazilian get over the line as a 4-1 winner to secure the title.
There is no doubts that this is good news for many fans. Igor is a “character” in the best “meaning” of that word. He has a huge presence, he plays entertaining snooker and plays it well, he’s (almost) always smiling and his positive energy is contagious. What’s not to like?1
Anthony Hamilton Joins British Seniors Open Line-Up
World Seniors Snooker (WSS) is delighted to announce that former ranking event winner Anthony Hamilton is the latest player to join the field for the 2025 British Seniors Open.
‘The Sheriff of Pottingham’ was on the World Snooker Tour (WST) for an unbroken 34-year spell, spending 15 years inside the top 32.
Between 2002 and 2007, Hamilton reached the quarter finals of the World Championship on four occasions and was a ranking event champion as recently as 2017 when he captured the German Masters crown.
Hamilton said: “The British Seniors Open sounds like a brilliant event and it is an honour to be invited to play in it and renew some old rivalries.”
Jason Francis, Chairman of WSS, said: “Anthony only retired from the main tour in May, following three decades as a professional player. He is exactly the type of servant to the game who deserves this chance to compete in a TV event on the World Seniors Snooker Tour. I can see this announcement being very well received as he remains such a popular player in the sport.”
The British Seniors Open will take place at Vaillant Live in Derby on 26-28 December 2025 and be shown live on Channel 5.
Over time I have read so many disparaging comments about Anthony… that he’s weird, that he’s filthy, and more. None of that is true. He’s a very interesting character, he’s very clever, very knowledgeable about his sport, he’s kind1 … but a bit shy. He is a great addition to the Seniors tour.
unless you disturb him when at the table on a break 😉 ↩︎
Mohamed Samy Elkhayat overcame Mohamed Alaa Khairy 5-4 in the final of the 2025 All-Africa Seniors Championship to earn an invitation to the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre.
Elkhayat, from Egypt, came through a field of 22 players from Africa to win the Seniors crown and earn the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing at the sport’s most iconic venue next May.
The Egyptian qualified for the knockout stages by finishing second place in a group that also featured the Moroccan duo of Said Machal and Idriss El Mokri as well as Mahomed Idrisse from Mozambique.
A deciding frame victory over Rabi Younes followed in the last 16 before more comfortable success against Ahmed Galal (4-0) and newly-crowned All-Africa Six-Red champion Allie Mutalieb (4-1) saw Elkhayat book his place in the final.
Former professional Khairy, who lost in the final of the main competition 12 months ago, was the opponent in the title match after he had beaten Mahjoub Tawdi in the semi-finals.
The final was a hard-fought contest that came down to a deciding frame but, ultimately, it was Elkhayat who was able to get over the line to earn the title.
Alfie Burden beat Aaron Canavan by 8 frames to 4 this afternoon to become the 2025 World Seniors Snooker Champion. The match was played in good spirit … and an unusual format. Indeed it featured two intervals – after four and eight frames – and was refereed by Michaela Tab, before the first interval, and by Proletina Velichkova after the first interval to the finish.
Michaela is retiring from snooker but will continue to referee in the “900” competitions for the time being.
Thank you for everything Michaela! We love you!
It was an emotional win for Alfie who had lost in the 2023 Final to Jimmy White. Lifting the trophy, surrounded by his children and friends meant everything to Alfie and it showed! His opponent, Aaron Canavan, who had won this title in 2018, was the first to congratulate him.. Aaron is a great player and a huge credit to his sport: at the table he gives it is all, when the match is over, win or lose, he’s always gracious.
Congratulations Alfie Burden!
and to Aaron Canavan, for a great run and for being such a great sportsman.
Image by Zheng Zai
PS: I will add my own images tomorrow, or on Tuesday. I’m traveling back to Greece tomorrow and need some rest…
BYD Lookers Sheffield is offering a “Maximum Break Prize” at the 2025 World Seniors Snooker Championship and it’s a very “traditional” prize as well, reminiscent of the old days… here is the announcement:
BYD Lookers Sheffield Offer Maximum Break Prize at JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship
World Seniors Snooker (WSS) is pleased to announce a partnership with BYD Lookers Sheffield which will see a BYD SEAL U awarded to the first player to make a maximum break in this year’s JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship.
The BYD SEAL U applies captivating design philosophy to the SUV market by combining the oceanic aesthetics of BYD design with futuristic touches, resulting in a striking car for eco-conscious families.
Jason Francis, Chairman of WSS, said: “The JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship celebrates legacy and memories, honouring former legends and creating new ones. For many, the historical prize for a 147 break was always a car and so we are delighted to partner with BYD Lookers Sheffield to offer this fantastic prize.”
Ryan Smith, General Manager of BYD Lookers Sheffield said “It’s great for BYD Sheffield to be involved with the World Seniors Snooker Championship and to showcase our brand at the famous Crucible Theatre live on Channel 5.”
The car on offer will be displayed outside the Crucible Theatre during the event and fans will be able to view it and book a test drive with BYD Lookers Sheffield.
Alfie Burden defeated Matthew Ford 4-3 in the Golden Ticket Play-Off to secure the final place at the 2025 JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship.
The 48-year-old Englishman will face Jimmy White at the Crucible Theatre in a repeat of the 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship final after coming through a field of 16 players in Reading last weekend.
The Play-Off line-up was made up top eight ranked players who did not qualify automatically for the flagship event in each of the official two-year world ranking list and the one-year ‘Race to the Crucible Series’ ranking list.
Burden had missed out on an automatic place at the Championship by just a single frame in the concluding qualification event of the season but bounced back in the Golden Ticket Play-Off event.
Victories over Andy Lavin (4-2), Irish former professional Rodney Goggins (4-1) and Stuart Watson (4-1) saw Burden book his place in the final where he faced compatriot Ford.
The 49-year-old had dropped just three frames in as many matches en route to the final and a break of 67 in frame five put Ford just one away from victory and a Crucible debut.
Burden refused to be beaten, however, forcing a decider before getting over the line by a 78-46 scoreline to complete the victory and earn a return to snooker’s most iconic venue.
A handful of Sheffield’s most inspirational residents will have the opportunity to attend the final of the JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship, as special guests, alongside the Lord Mayor.
Earlier this year, Sheffield City Council hosted the Lord Mayor Awards – a celebration of Sheffield’s trailblazers, making a difference to the city and to Sheffield life.
World Seniors Snooker has announced that they will be hosting the award winners, alongside Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Jayne Dunn, at the final of the JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship on Sunday 11 May at the Crucible Theatre.
The Lord Mayor will celebrate with her winners at a champagne reception in the presence of some snooker legends before enjoying the afternoons match, where a new World Seniors Snooker champion will be crowned.
Jason Francis, Chairman of World Seniors, said: “The final of our World Championship is the biggest day of our season and so it’s great to be able to host the Lord Mayor and her award winners to further celebrate this great city of Sheffield, the home of snooker.”
Cllr Jayne Dunn, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, said: “When I was appointed Lord Mayor, I pledged to make sure that the achievements of our residents and the dedication they show to the city is given a platform, and the Lord Mayor Awards, which took place earlier this year, did just that.
“I am delighted that those worthy winners will now be honoured once again at the World Seniors Championships. Sheffield loves snooker, which is why I am delighted to attend the final – for the first-ever and very special Lord Mayor’s Day – to celebrate Sheffield, its residents and snooker.”
The JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship, which will be aired once again this year live on Channel 5, follows on from the World Snooker Championship and gives snooker legends including Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Tony Drago and more another chance to play at snooker’s most famous venue, which defined many of their careers.
The 2025 Championship in May will see players from nine countries compete for the title won last year by Igor Figueiredo from Brazil. It will be played from Wednesday 7 May to Sunday 11 May 2025.
The Winners of the Lord Mayor Awards 2025 with Cllr Jayne Dunn, Lord Mayor of Sheffield and representatives from the Headline Sponsor, E.ON Blackburn Meadows
Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community supported by TravelMaster- Winner: Firas Sharefy
Firas has significantly contributed to the Sheffield community, especially aiding vulnerable populations as an asylum seeker from Iraq. He co-founded the Refugee Asylum Seeker Action Group (RASAG) and Open Kitchen Social Club (OKSC), providing free meals and promoting social inclusion for vulnerable people in Sheffield. His efforts have earned him high respect and praise for his kindness and leadership.
The award was presented on the night by John Henshall, General Manager at TravelMaster.
Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion of the Arts, Music and Culture supported by Utilita Arena & Sheffield City Hall- Winner: Jerry Cheung
Jerry has significantly contributed to Sheffield’s cultural landscape, particularly through organizing the Sheffield Lunar Chinese New Year Festival. His efforts have brought global attention to Sheffield, celebrating cultural diversity and reinforcing the city’s reputation for inclusivity and creativity.
Outstanding Contribution to Education supported by The Sheffield College- Winner: Cheriene Bailey
Cheriene has dedicated over 50 years to dance education, founding the Baily-Cox Dance Academy, and more recently Adult Ballet Sheffield with members ranging from age 18-84! Her lifelong commitment has impacted countless lives, sparking a love of dance in generations of students and promoting inclusive education.
The award was presented on the night by Angela Foulkes, Chief Exec & Principle at The Sheffield College
Outstanding Contribution to Local Sport supported by Westfield Health- Winner: Yuri Matischen
Yuri has made significant contributions to Sheffield’s sports event industry, including securing the first British bid for the World University Games and organizing major events like the European Swimming Championships. He established the Sheffield Sharks basketball club and contributed to the opening of the Canon Medical Arena, promoting Sheffield as a global sporting venue
Outstanding Contribution to The Environment or Science supported by Veolia- Winner: Sustainability Connects
The Sustainability Connects platform fosters connections and advocacy on sustainability and climate change topics, emphasizing integrated and holistic approaches. They have collaborated with Sheffield City Council’s Employee Equality Women’s Hub to deliver workshops and create the Women’s Hub Sustainability Pledge, promoting sustainable practices.
The award was presented on the night by Julie Adams, Regional Partnership Manager at Veolia
The Young Sheffield Hero supported by Kingfield Supported Living- Winner: Leah Walton
Leah has raised £51,000 for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS in memory of her friend Jude Mellor. She organizes various fundraising activities, including sponsored swims and family fun days, demonstrating remarkable dedication and selflessness.
The award was presented on the night by Diane Lyons, Director at Kingfield Supported Living
The WPBSA World Seniors Tour 