If you walked into Alexandra Palace today expecting a predictable afternoon, you haven't been watching much snooker lately. Honestly, the 2026 Masters final has been anything but "standard." We are currently seeing two titans of the baize, Kyren Wilson and John Higgins, locked in a battle that feels more like a chess match with high-velocity projectiles.
The atmosphere in London is electric. You've got the "Warrior" Kyren Wilson, the 2024 World Champion, trying to secure his first-ever Masters crown. On the other side? The legendary "Wizard of Wishaw," John Higgins, who at 50 years old is looking to become the oldest winner in the history of this Triple Crown event.
The Mid-Session Reality
Right now, the snooker final latest score stands with Kyren Wilson holding a narrow 5-3 lead over John Higgins at the conclusion of the afternoon session.
It didn't start that way. Higgins actually took the opening frame with a gritty 64 break, reminding everyone why he’s won this thing twice before. But Wilson? He’s relentless. He reeled off three frames in a row, including a spectacular 121 century in the third frame that had the Ally Pally crowd on their feet.
📖 Related: Panama vs Mexico Score: Why Los Canaleros Keep Frightening El Tri
- Frame 1: Higgins (64 break)
- Frame 2: Wilson (78 break)
- Frame 3: Wilson (121 break)
- Frame 4: Wilson (Safety battle)
Why the Masters Final Score is Messing With Our Heads
This tournament has been weird from the jump. You might have heard the stat already, but it's worth repeating because it's statistically insane: every single match in the first round ended with a 6-2 scoreline. The odds of that happening were calculated at something like 220,000 to 1.
By the time we hit the semi-finals yesterday, that pattern finally broke. Both Wilson and Higgins had to dig deep into their "granite" reserves. Wilson survived a massive comeback from Wu Yize, eventually winning 6-5. Higgins did the same against Judd Trump, who was the heavy favorite going in.
Seeing the snooker final latest score at 5-3 feels... balanced? But in a tournament this volatile, that two-frame cushion for Wilson could evaporate in twenty minutes.
👉 See also: Why Ice Line West Chester PA Stays Busy Year Round
Key Stats From Today's Play
- Highest Break: Kyren Wilson (121)
- Total Centuries: 1 (Wilson)
- Pot Success: Wilson 94% / Higgins 89%
- Long Pot Success: Higgins 62% (Higgins is keeping himself in it with some ridiculous distance pots).
Higgins looks a bit fatigued, which is understandable. He’s been on the table for hours over the last three days. However, his safety play remains the best in the business. He basically trapped Wilson in the "D" for most of the eighth frame, clawing back a vital point to stay within touching distance.
What to Watch for in the Evening Session
The match resumes tonight at 7:00 PM GMT. It’s a race to 10 frames.
Wilson needs five more. Higgins needs seven.
If Wilson comes out and takes the first two frames of the evening, it’s probably curtains. But if Higgins can get it to 5-5? Then we’re looking at a late-night decider. The pressure at Alexandra Palace is different. It’s noisy, it’s cramped, and the fans are right on top of the players.
Basically, don't bet against the old man yet. Higgins has been in this position a hundred times. He knows how to "win ugly" when his scoring boots aren't quite on. Wilson, meanwhile, is playing with a new cue this season after breaking his old one—a disaster for most players, but he seems to have finally tamed it.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Where to watch: The final session is live on BBC Two and Eurosport/Discovery+.
- The "Next Frame" Strategy: Watch the first red of the evening. Whoever pots it usually sets the tempo for the next hour.
- Safety Watch: Keep an eye on the baulk colors. Higgins is intentionally tieing up the yellow and green to make the table "heavy."
The snooker final latest score tells us Wilson is the favorite, but the history of the Masters tells us to expect a twist. We'll be watching to see if the "Warrior" can hold his nerve or if the "Wizard" has one last spell to cast.
Keep an eye on the official World Snooker Tour (WST) live scores for frame-by-frame updates as the evening session kicks off. If you’re following the betting markets, the live odds have shifted significantly toward Wilson, but the "over/under" on total frames is still leaning toward a long night.
Stay tuned. This is going to be a classic.
Next Steps for You: Check the live frame scores on the WST website or tune into the BBC iPlayer broadcast starting at 19:00.