The 1996 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 4 and February 11, 1996 at the Wembley Conference Centre. Stephen Hendry wins his sixth Masters title beating the defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-5 in the final and the first (and only title) with the new gold cup after Hendry kept the previous one he won with the other five titles. Wild card this year were Andy Hicks who made the World Championship semi-final the previous year and 18 year old Matthew Stevens.