The World Snooker Championship is approaching, with defending champion Zhao Xintong returning to the Crucible. Ronnie O’Sullivan will be making a bid for a record-breaking eighth world title.
They will be challenged by Judd Trump and four-time champion Mark Selby, as well as Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy, from 18 April.
A Tournament Steeped in History
The tournament has been running since 1927. From the days of Joe Davis, who dominated the sport from the 1920s to the 1950s, winning the first 15 World Snooker Championships consecutively from 1927 to 1946, through the 1980s with Steve Davis winning six titles from 1981 through to 1989.
The modern era has seen O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry grace the green baize.
Since 32 players were first introduced in the first round in 1982, there has never been a time when all 16 top seeds have reached even the second round.
The Crucible Curse and Key Matchups
Zhao will try and overcome the ‘Crucible Curse’ and become the first maiden winner to successfully defend the trophy. Since 1980, 21 players have tried and failed.
O’Sullivan, who will be making a record 34th straight appearance at the iconic venue, was the last first-time champion to make it as far as the semi-finals when he lost 17-13 to Hendry back in 2002.
Zhao returns to the Crucible stage at 10am on the first day, playing to a finish from 7pm. The other seeds in action on the first day will be Mark Allen, Xiao Guodong, Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins.
Trump and O’Sullivan’s Opening Bids
World No 1 Judd Trump gets his bid for a second world title underway with morning and evening sessions on Tuesday April 21.
O’Sullivan gets started on the same day at 2.30pm, and concludes the following day in the same afternoon slot.
If O’Sullivan and John Higgins both make it through the opening round, they will go head to head in the last 16.
- The top 16 seeds will be drawn at random against the 16 players who come through the qualifying rounds on April 16.
- In addition to the highest break prize, bonuses of £40,000 and £10,000 will be offered for maximum breaks made at the main stage and in the qualifying rounds respectively.
- An additional bonus of £147,000 is also on offer to any player who makes two maximums across this seasons’ Triple Crown events and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Since 1977 there have been 24 different champions, most recently China’s Zhao Xintong who lifted the trophy in 2025, becoming the first champion from Asia. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record of seven crowns apiece.