O'Sullivan and Higgins Will Consider 2028 Retirement
The veteran snooker professionals are eyeing the end of their careers as the sport transitions to a new generation.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Tennis
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Snooker icons Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, both of whom turned professional in 1992, may retire by 2028. O'Sullivan continues to compete as he pursues a record-breaking eighth World Championship title.
Why it matters
The potential retirement of these long-time figures marks a significant turning point for professional snooker. While O'Sullivan aims for one final major milestone, Higgins has pointed to declining performance and reduced practice hours as key factors in his decision-making.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is 50 years old and John Higgins is 51, with both players having turned professional in 1992. The sport currently supports a top elite group of 16 players, while China alone hosts 300,000 snooker clubs.
The players
Ronnie O'Sullivan
He is a 50-year-old professional snooker player who turned professional in 1992 and is currently seeking his eighth World Championship title.
John Higgins
He is a 51-year-old professional snooker player and former professional who began his career in 1992.
Jason Ferguson
He is the chairman of the WPBSA who oversees professional snooker and has expressed confidence in the development of future talent.
Zhao Xintong
He is a professional snooker player who won the World Championship in 2025.
WPBSA
This is the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association which governs the sport and invests in international amateur structures.
The details
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson remains confident in the sport's future, citing investments in amateur structures and coaching schemes to develop rising talent. The organization is focusing on growth markets including China, Poland, Germany, Latvia, and Ukraine to ensure the next decade of professional play remains competitive.
Timeline
Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins turned professional in 1992.
Zhao Xintong won the World Championship in 2025.
The EPSB English Junior Amateur Tour was held in Leeds in September 2026.
O'Sullivan and Higgins may retire in 2028.
Season Trajectory
The transition away from 1992-era veterans is being balanced by the development of the EPSB English Junior Amateur Tour and international academy initiatives. This ensures a steady pipeline of talent as the sport moves toward the 2028 season and beyond.
The potential retirement of these two players will fundamentally shift the composition of the 16-player top snooker elite group. This departure creates opportunities for rising stars to climb the world rankings and secure spots in major televised tournaments.
The takeaway
Fans should monitor the emergence of players from non-traditional markets like Poland and Ukraine as the sport expands its global footprint. Investing time in watching amateur tour events provides the best look at the future of professional snooker.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional competition, visit our Tennis section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Metro.
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