A concise guide to the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible, covering the draw, prize fund, match schedule and broadcast details
The annual showdown at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield is back. The World Snooker Championship begins on Saturday, April 18 and runs through Monday, May 4, bringing together the sport’s top seeds and successful qualifiers for a 17-day spectacle.
This preview outlines the draw, the breakdown of the prize money, the format used across each round and where to watch the action. It also highlights key first-round ties and the headline names to follow as the tournament unfolds.
Event basics and historical highlights
The World Snooker Championship has a long lineage in professional snooker, first staged in 1927 and long associated with iconic figures such as Joe Davis and more recent multi-time winners. The trophy itself dates back to 1926, when it was purchased by Joe Davis; crafted in silver and weighing 46.5 troy ounces, the cup is crowned by a small classical figure often mistaken for a player.
Defending champion Zhao Xintong returns after his 2026 triumph, the first world title for a Chinese player. He will open his defence in the tournament’s first session on Saturday, April 18, while established names including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Selby begin their bids in later sessions.
Prize money and financial incentives
The total pool for the event is £2,395,000. The allocation rewards progress through the rounds and offers special incentives for high breaks and maximums. The top prizes are: winner £500,000, runner-up £200,000, and semi-finalists £100,000 each. An additional £15,000 is reserved for the highest break of the tournament.
There are also bonus structures for maximum breaks: a main-stage maximum carries a substantial reward, and season-long incentives exist for completing multiple maximums across major events. These sums add another competitive and financial dimension to the championship.
Format and match lengths
Understanding the match structure is essential to following the event. All opening-round ties are contested over the best of 19 frames—that is, the first player to 10 frames wins—played across two sessions. The second round and the quarter-finals expand to the best of 25 frames (first to 13) across three sessions. Semi-finals are contested over the best of 33 frames (first to 17) in four sessions, while the final is a marathon of the best of 35 frames (first to 18) also across four sessions.
How sessions are scheduled
Matches are typically split into morning/afternoon and evening sessions, with the top seeds alternating between early and late starts in the first round. Some ties, such as defending champions or headline players, may play a morning session followed by an evening ‘finish’ the same day, or conclude on the following afternoon depending on the draw.
Key matchups, debuts and notable names
The opening day on Saturday, April 18 features several first-round matches, including Zhao Xintong against Liam Highfield and Mark Allen against Zhang Anda. A number of debutants have progressed from qualifying, meaning fresh faces such as He Guoqiang—who will meet Ronnie O’Sullivan—and other qualifiers will test the established top 16.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will start his campaign at 2.30pm on Tuesday, April 21, with the match concluding the following day. John Higgins is scheduled to begin at 2.30pm on Sunday, April 18, meeting Ali Carter in a high-profile first-round clash. The draw produced a mix of heavyweight pairings and intriguing underdog stories to watch as the tournament unfolds.
Favorites and betting context
Bookmakers place Zhao Xintong among the favourites, followed by Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby. Odds and market movement often react to form, practice reports and early-round results, but the tournament’s history shows that the Crucible can produce shocks and long runs from lower-seeded players.
Broadcast and practical information
Full live coverage of the event will be available on the BBC—including televised action on BBC One and BBC Two, and streaming via BBC iPlayer and the Red Button. Session start times vary by day and stage; fans should consult official schedules for precise session timings and any late changes.
The Crucible’s long-standing association with the world championship continues, and the venue is scheduled to remain the tournament’s home for the foreseeable future. With a field that includes multiple champions, rising stars and a record number of entrants from China, the 17-day contest promises drama, high-quality potting and tactical battles that define snooker at its highest level.
