Mark Selby produced a career-defining performance in front of an electrified home crowd at the Mattioli Arena, defeating World No.1 Judd Trump 10–5 to claim the 2025 Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions title — his first in the prestigious event.
Reflecting on the triumph, Selby said: “To win this title, here at home, means absolutely everything. Judd is the benchmark in the sport right now — you know you can’t give him an inch. I had to be solid from the first ball to the last. The atmosphere pushed me all the way, and lifting this trophy in Leicester is something I’ll never forget.
It was a final steeped in history as much as ambition — the first time Selby and Trump had contested a title since the 2011 China Open, where a young Judd Trump announced himself by claiming the first ranking trophy of his career. And from the very first shots in Leicester, it was clear this latest chapter would be worthy of the rivalry.
Trump struck first with a clinical 111 to take the opener, but Selby hit back immediately with a century of his own, a composed 102 to level. A missed cut on the black from Selby handed Trump the third frame, and the World No.1 followed it up with another century to stretch his lead to 3–1.
Selby, refusing to be shaken, capitalised on a safety error to reduce the deficit before punishing a missed long red from Trump with a run of 99 to pull level at 3–3. A tense, tactical seventh frame tipped Selby’s way as he moved ahead for the first time, and he doubled his advantage moments later, outmanoeuvring Trump in another cagey battle for 5–3.
Trump responded with intent, closing the gap to one after Selby failed to escape a snooker, and then levelling the match again following yet another tight safety exchange. But Selby struck back, edging a tense tenth frame to retake the lead before an in-off from Trump in the next allowed the Leicester man to extend the gap once more.
From there, Selby surged.
A brilliant 138 — the highest break of the tournament — pushed him 8–5 ahead. Riding a wave of momentum and crowd energy, he closed out the match in spectacular fashion, producing back-to-back centuries of 101 and 136 to seal a commanding 10–5 victory and lift the Champion of Champions trophy for the first time.
Selby began the week as Leicester’s favourite; he ended it as Leicester’s champion. A perfect, poetic finish.
The 2025 Sportsbet.io Champion of Champions brought together snooker’s elite from November 10–16 at the Mattioli Arena. Don’t miss the 2026 edition, where Mark Selby will return looking to defend the title for the first time. Sign up for ticket alerts now.
