Figueiredo and Canavan Open with Wins as 2026 World Seniors Championship Begins at the Crucible
Former Champions Hit the Ground Running in Sheffield
The Crucible Theatre had barely drawn breath following Wu Yize's dramatic 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy in the World Snooker Championship final on Monday when the venue switched its focus to a different set of competitors entirely. The 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship got under way on Wednesday evening, with 2024 champion Igor Figueiredo and 2018 title-holder Aaron Canavan both winning their opening-round matches to book their places in the last 16.
Figueiredo, the Brazilian whose victory over Ken Doherty in the 2024 final represented the standout result of his career, defeated Mohamed Elkhayat 4-2 in a straightforward first-round assignment. The win sets up a significant test in the next stage — a meeting with top seed Alfie Burden, who is bidding to retain the title he claimed 12 months ago. Burden enters the competition having been awarded a bye through the opening round as one of the eight highest-ranked players in the draw.
Canavan, 50, produced an equally composed performance to beat Reanne Evans 4-2. The Jersey-born player finished as runner-up in 2025 and will be motivated to improve on that result this time around. His route to a potential title challenge begins in earnest in the last 16, where further details of his bracket will emerge as the draw unfolds.
Drago Exits in First-Round Shock
Not every established name navigated the opening evening without incident. Tony Drago, the former world number ten who reached the quarter-finals of this event just 12 months ago, suffered a notable upset at the hands of Australian Roger Farebrother, going down 4-2. It represented the most significant result of the evening's opening session and a reminder that the expanded format — now featuring an increased field of 24 players — creates opportunities for those lower in the seedings to cause damage early.
Craig Steadman recorded the most emphatic scoreline of the night, defeating Neal Jones 4-0 in a whitewash display that underlined his credentials as a potential dark horse in the competition. Farebrother and Steadman now face Ali Carter and Nigel Bond respectively when the last 16 gets under way, both earning seeded opponents for their efforts.
An Expanded Field and High-Profile Newcomers
The 2026 edition of the World Seniors Snooker Championship is operating with a 24-player draw, an increase on previous years that reflects the continued growth of the seniors tour. Among the most notable additions to the circuit this year are Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter, two players whose presence will significantly raise the profile of the event. Both have been seeded into the top eight and consequently receive byes directly into the last 16.
O'Sullivan, widely regarded as the pre-tournament favourite given his seven world titles and unmatched record in the professional game, does not play until Friday afternoon. His first-round opponent will be either Ken Doherty or Gerard Greene, depending on the outcome of Thursday's matches. Carter, a two-time World Championship finalist (2008 and 2012) at the professional level, faces Craig Steadman in the last 16.
Thursday's Action and the Road Ahead
The remaining ties from the round of 24 take place on Thursday afternoon, with several notable names entering the fray. Jimmy White — the record four-time World Seniors champion — faces Daniel Ward in what will be one of the more closely watched matches of the session. White's standing in the seniors game is unrivalled on paper, and his progress through the draw will attract considerable attention from the snooker public.
Ken Doherty, Dominic Dale, and Anthony Hamilton are also among those competing on Thursday, ensuring a full programme of action at the Crucible before the last-16 stage begins to take shape. Doherty, of course, was on the wrong end of Figueiredo's title-winning run in 2024 and will be seeking to go deeper into the competition this time around.
With the main tour's flagship event having concluded just days earlier, Sheffield's most famous theatre faces an unusual but compelling double billing. For a competition that has developed a reputation for experimenting with formats and expanding its reach — this year's larger draw being the latest example — the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship is shaping up as the most competitive edition to date. All match results and draw information are being tracked via the World Seniors Snooker Tour's official channels and CueTracker.
