Snooker's Prestigious Champions Dinner Confronts High-Profile Absences
Snooker authorities are fervently hoping for improved turnout as the sport prepares for its second-ever Champions Dinner, a glamorous prelude to the World Championship. The 2026 tournament commences this Saturday, following the conclusion of intense qualifying rounds on Wednesday. This exclusive gathering, inspired by the iconic Masters golf dinner at Augusta, unites living world champions for an evening of camaraderie and celebration.
A Gathering of Legends with Notable Gaps
Last year's inaugural event in Sheffield saw eleven of the twenty surviving world champions in attendance. The esteemed list included the eldest champion, Cliff Thorburn, who journeyed from Canada, and reigning champion Kyren Wilson, who enjoyed the privilege of curating the menu. They were joined by snooker greats such as Dennis Taylor, Steve Davis, John Parrot, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon, Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson, and Stuart Bingham, all of whom received commemorative world champion jackets.
However, the occasion was marred by significant absences. Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and three-time Crucible winner Mark Williams were notably missing. Three-time champion John Higgins cited family obligations, while Judd Trump was unable to attend due to illness, leaving a palpable void among the sport's elite.
An Unforgettable Menu and Solemn Tributes
The dinner featured a creatively themed menu structured around 'frames' rather than traditional courses. For the opening frame, attendees could select between a classic prawn cocktail or a luxurious mushroom soup infused with truffle oil. The second frame offered a choice of slow-cooked beef in a rich red wine jus, accompanied by potatoes, vegetables, and a Yorkshire pudding, or a vegetarian alternative of spiced chickpea and vegetable stew with rice.
Frame three presented a dessert dilemma between sticky toffee pudding and cheesecake, while the final frame concluded with an elegant cheeseboard. As wine flowed freely and conversations deepened, the legends paused to raise a glass in tribute to world champions no longer with us, including Ray Reardon and Terry Griffiths, both of whom passed away in 2024.
Uncertainty Looms for the 2026 Edition
The attendance for this year's dinner remains uncertain. Reigning champion Zhao Xintong is slated to have the honour of selecting the menu, provided he attends. However, there will be at least one significant absence: Kyren Wilson, who will miss the event as his wife is scheduled for major surgery on the same day. Wilson will also be absent from the memorial service for the late John Virgo, taking place earlier on Thursday.
In a statement to The Sun, Wilson expressed his regret, saying, "That was always my plan to go and see that and pay my respects. But I need to be there for my wife. And unfortunately, I can't make the World Champions dinner because of that. So, again, frustrating, but it's something we need to do as a family." He added, "It's [Sophie's health issues] not resolved, but it's just part and parcel of life. You've got to get on with it. I think Sophie's is more frustrated that she can't get up into the Champions Lounge at the Crucible and make the most of the Prosecco!"
Despite these personal challenges, Wilson remains committed to competing in the tournament. He and his fellow seeds will discover their first-round opponents when the draw takes place on Thursday morning, keeping the focus firmly on the green baize.
