English Open Snooker 2025: Mark Allen Wins 9-8 Final

Mark Allen has done it again — and this time with barely a breath to spare. On 21 September 2025, the Northern Irishman clinched his 12th ranking title at the Brentwood Centre, pipping Fan Zhengyi 9-8 in a final that went down to the final frame. It was his first triumph at the BetVictor English Open, and arguably his most dramatic yet.

Dates: 11-21 September 2025 · Venue: Brentwood, England · Winner: Mark Allen · Runner-up: Fan Zhengyi · Final score: 9-8

Who won the English Open snooker 2025?

Mark Allen claimed the BetVictor English Open title on 21 September 2025, defeating Fan Zhengyi 9-8 in a tense final at the Brentwood Centre. The world No.10 won the last two frames to seal victory and secure his 12th ranking title overall. It marks his first English Open crown after years of near-misses at this particular event.

“Allen won the last two frames of the match for a 9–8 victory, securing his first English Open title.”

— Wikipedia

Final result Mark Allen vs Fan Zhengyi

The final score of 9-8 tells only part of the story. Allen trailed for much of the match before mounting his comeback in the closing stages. The encounter followed a best-of-17 frames format, typical for ranking event finals. Fan Zhengyi, seeded 32nd in the world rankings, had produced his best form to reach the showpiece — his fourth ranking final — but ultimately fell just short against the more experienced Allen.

“The first event in the 2025/26 BetVictor Home Nations Series gets underway this week.”

— WPBSA

Allen had previously beaten Fan Zhengyi 9-4 in the 2022 Northern Ireland Open final, so he knew what to expect. This time around, Fan pushed him considerably harder, taking the match deep into the deciding frames.

Tournament overview

This was the 10th consecutive edition of the English Open since its 2016 revival, and the fourth ranking event of the 2025-26 season following the Wuhan Open. It also served as the opening fixture in the BetVictor Home Nations Series, a cluster of four tournaments that carries significant ranking and prize implications for players competing throughout the campaign.

Who is in the English Open snooker final?

Mark Allen and Fan Zhengyi contested the 2025 English Open final. Allen came in as the world No.10, while Fan carried the 32nd seeding — a notable underdog story on paper, though his form throughout the week suggested he belonged on the big stage.

Mark Allen [9] vs Fan Zhengyi [30]

The ranking gap between world No.10 and world No.32 did little to reflect the actual quality on display. Allen drew on all his experience to navigate five consecutive deciding frames en route to the final, a testament to both his resilience and his ability to raise his game when it matters most.

Fan’s path included several upset victories, confirming that his run was no fluke. Facing Allen in the final gave him a chance to avenge his 2022 defeat, and for long stretches it looked as though he might succeed. The final frame proved decisive.

Path to the final

Allen worked through the draw with characteristic tactical nous, dropping frames early but finding his best form when it counted. Fan, meanwhile, grew stronger as the tournament progressed, displaying a composure that belied his relatively tender years on the tour.

English Open snooker 2025 schedule and timetable?

The 2025 BetVictor English Open ran from 11 to 21 September 2025, spanning 11 days of qualifying and main-draw action. The first two rounds — the Last 128 and Last 64 — took place from 11-14 September, with the top 32 seeds entering from 15 September.

Key dates from 11-21 September

The tournament comprised 89 matches across 491 frames, with morning and afternoon sessions scheduled daily and evening sessions from the last 16 stage onwards.

A round 1 match on 12 September kicked off at 02:00 Brentwood time, with round 2 matches beginning on 13 September at the same early-morning slot. The draw structure ensured early-round drama before the seeded players entered from round 3.

Venue details Brentwood

The Brentwood Centre in Brentwood, England hosted the event for another year. The venue has become a familiar home for the English Open, offering a compact arena setting that draws vocal crowds and provides a strong atmosphere for players and viewers alike. Its proximity to London makes it accessible for both domestic and international visitors.

For those attending in person, the centre offers tiered seating with good sightlines throughout. Tickets for the final day were in high demand given the proximity of the two finalists throughout the match.

English Open snooker 2025 scores and results?

The 2025 BetVictor English Open produced a total of 89 matches and 491 frames across all rounds. The tournament threw up several notable results in the early stages, with a handful of seeded players suffering unexpected defeats.

Full results from snooker.org

Early-round action delivered plenty of drama. Dylan Emery beat Matthew Stevens 4-3 on the final black, while Scott Donaldson came from 3-0 down to beat Allan Taylor 4-3 — a remarkable comeback that set the tone for the week. Liam Davies defeated Lyu Haotian 4-2, and Sunny Akani saw off Oliver Brown by the same margin in round 1.

Jimmy White provided a nostalgic highlight, beating Cheung Ka Wai 4-3 with a re-spotted black in frame 5. The Whirlwind showed he could still produce magic under pressure, though his run ended before the business end of the tournament.

Among the seeds, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, and Wu Yize featured prominently in the early draws, though the bracket data from snooker.org shows they each navigated different routes through the opening rounds.

Highlights from TNT Sports

TNT Sports covered the event extensively for UK and Irish audiences, providing daily highlights packages and live coverage of key matches. European viewers caught the action via Eurosport, while regional broadcasters carried the tournament across Asia. The final itself drew strong viewership given the dramatic scoreline.

English Open snooker 2025 tickets and where to watch?

Tickets for the BetVictor English Open were available through the official World Snooker Tour website, with day tickets and season passes offered across the 11-day run. The final day and the closing sessions of the quarter-finals and semi-finals typically sell out fastest.

Ticket information

The World Snooker Tour website (wst.tv) served as the primary portal for ticket purchases, with prices ranging from budget-friendly early-round options to premium seating for the showpiece matches. Fans are advised to check the official site for the next edition’s ticket release dates, as the English Open consistently draws strong demand.

Broadcast options

TNT Sports held the rights for UK and Ireland, offering both linear coverage and streaming options. Eurosport carried the tournament across mainland Europe, while Asian audiences accessed coverage through local channel partners. The official World Snooker website and app also provided live scoring and supplementary content for those unable to watch full broadcasts.

For those catching up after the event, TNT Sports and Eurosport typically make highlights available on their respective platforms for a limited period following each day’s play.

Prize money and defending champion

The winner’s purse for the 2025 BetVictor English Open stood at £100,000, drawn from a total prize fund of £550,400. The runner-up received a £35,000 consolation, with prize money tapering down through the quarter-finals and earlier rounds. Losers in the Last 128 received no prize money — a stark reminder of the financial pressure facing players outside the top echelon.

Neil Robertson entered as the defending champion, having defeated Wu Yize 9-7 in the 2024 final. The Australian’s early exit in 2025 opened up the draw and created additional interest in who might emerge from the other half of the bracket.

Related reading: Under 20 Six Nations – 2025 Results and Standings

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