Jordan Brown says Mark Allen is doing okay during snooker absence

Mark Allen is missing the first five ranking events of the 2026/27 snooker season after withdrawing from the International Championship qualifying round, extending an absence that began in May 2026. The World Snooker Tour confirmed the world number 13 pulled out of the upcoming tournament for personal reasons, leaving his participation at his home event in doubt.

The 40-year-old Antrim player has not competed since his World Championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize at the Crucible in Sheffield on May 2, 2026, according to bbc.com. snookerhq.com reported that Allen missed a straight black off its spot in the penultimate frame before losing the decisive match 17-16. He currently sits 12th in the World Snooker Tour rankings with £536,050 in prize money.

Tournaments Missed and Ranking Impact

Allen has skipped every tournament scheduled on the calendar since the 2026/27 season started in mid-June 2026, sportbible.com reported. BBC.com noted that his missed events include the Championship League, Shanghai Masters, China Open, Wuhan Open, British Open, and English Open. Snookerhq.com added that Allen also withdrew from the International Championship qualifiers, where Duane Jones replaced him in the draw to face Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon.

The absences mean Allen cannot defend the English Open title he won at Brentwood in 2025, when he defeated Zhou Yuelong in a deciding frame, according to snookerhq.com. Despite sitting out all ranking events to date, Allen remains comfortably inside the top 16 of the rankings. The cut-off figure stands at £359,100, held by 17th-placed Zhao Yuelong.

Friend and Rival Reactions to the Absence

Jordan Brown told Metro that he worries about his close friend and regularly practices with him, though he does not know if Allen will play at the Northern Ireland Open on October 20, 2026.

All I do know is he is doing okay. I’ve been checking in on him. I honestly don’t know if he’s going to play or not. If he does play it will be great for the local crowd. It’ll be great to see him back playing. We all want to see him back. Personally, I miss him. I worry about him, because he’s one of my best friends. We all hope to see him back soon and playing the game that he loves, because he’s a great player and a great guy. The main thing is he’s doing okay. He obviously has things to sort out so we all hope he’ll be back at the table soon. If I play him then great, and if he doesn’t play I get a bye. It’s obviously not how you want to go on, but I’ll take anything right now in my ranking position.

Jordan Brown

Allen previously addressed his withdrawals from the China Open and Wuhan Open in August 2026 through a brief statement.

I am gutted to miss these two events in China and my apologies to the fans and promoters in Taiyuan and Wuhan. I love playing in China and appreciate the support we always get there, but there are personal reasons why I can’t make it this time. I hope to be back playing in China later this season.

Mark Allen

Snookerhq.com reported that Allen also shared a cryptic Instagram post featuring a hooded figure with a cover of The Sound of Silence playing, without offering explanation.

Allen May Return at Shenzhen or Northern Ireland Open

Allen remains officially listed to face Jordan Brown in the opening round of the Northern Ireland Open on October 20, 2026, sportbible.com reported. Snookerhq.com noted that a potential return could arrive at the Shenzhen Open later in September 2026, though no formal entry announcement has been made for that tournament.