Ronnie O’Sullivan has been omitted from one of snooker’s most prestigious events, the 2025 Champion of Champions, following a late change in qualification rules.
The seven-time world champion, widely regarded as the greatest player in the sport’s history, has endured a quiet season by his standards, failing to secure a single tournament victory since his triumph at the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker in March 2024.
That absence of recent success has now cost him a place in the elite 16-man field for the upcoming event.
The Champion of Champions features only players who have lifted trophies over the previous twelve months, rewarding consistency and winning form.
With Jack Lisowski becoming the 15th qualifier after his victory at the Northern Ireland Open last week, one final spot remained open.
Initially, organisers from the World Snooker Tour (WST) confirmed that the final invitation would go to the highest-ranked player without a tournament win – a position held by O’Sullivan, currently ranked world No 5.
However, the WST has since reversed that decision, instead awarding the final place to Alfie Burden, the reigning World Seniors champion.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has been omitted from one of snooker’s most prestigious events, the 2025 Champion of Champions, following a late change in qualification rules
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Burden, 48, expressed his gratitude after learning of his late inclusion.
“I’d like to thank the Players Board – Ken [Doherty], Neil [Robertson], Mark [Davis] and Ben [Woollaston],” he said.
“Also I’d like to thank Jason Ferguson and particularly Jason Francis for their support over the last few days. I also want to thank Matchroom for giving me this opportunity and I’m looking forward to playing.”
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Alfie Burden has made the cut for the tournament
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The change in selection has sparked debate among snooker fans, many of whom expected O’Sullivan to be handed the wildcard based on his world ranking and box-office appeal.
The Champion of Champions is one of the sport’s most watched invitational tournaments, often described as a celebration of the season’s top performers.
Its invitation-only nature has made it a coveted stage for the game’s elite, and O’Sullivan’s absence is certain to be felt both competitively and commercially.
O’Sullivan, who has lifted the Champion of Champions trophy on four occasions, remains one of the sport’s central figures despite his reduced schedule and outspoken views on the direction of professional snooker.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has struggled for consistency this season
|PA
His exclusion underlines a shift in the game’s approach to merit-based qualification, with organisers favouring title winners and senior champions over reputation or ranking.
The 2025 Champion of Champions will take place from November 10 to 16, featuring an array of current major champions including Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson and world champion Luca Brecel.
For O’Sullivan, the decision represents a rare omission from a showcase event he has so often dominated.
For Burden, it marks a career milestone — a chance to compete among the world’s best, and an opportunity to make his mark on one of the most competitive stages in modern snooker.