2026 World Snooker Championship: History, Favourites, and Everything You Need to Know

The biggest event on the snooker calendar is almost here. The 2026 World Snooker Championship officially the 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship gets underway on 18 April and runs through to 4 May 2026 at the iconic Crucible Theatre.

This year carries serious weight. It marks the 50th consecutive year the tournament has been staged at the Crucible. A milestone that underlines just how central Sheffield has become to the sport’s identity.

A Century of Snooker’s Biggest Stage

The World Snooker Championship dates back to 1927, when Joe Davis won the inaugural title his first of 15 consecutive world championships, a record that still stands.

The tournament paused during World War II and briefly lost momentum in the 1950s due to disputes within the sport. Everything changed in 1969, when the championship relaunched in a knockout format, marking the start of snooker’s modern era.

The move to the Crucible in 1977 transformed the event. The compact, theatre-style venue created an intense, almost gladiatorial atmosphere. Something that still defines the tournament today.

The decades that followed produced icons of the game. Steve Davis dominated the 1980s with six world titles, before Stephen Hendry raised the bar in the 1990s with seven. In the modern era, Ronnie O’Sullivan matched that tally in 2022, becoming the oldest world champion at 46.

Defending Champion: Zhao Xintong and the Crucible Curse

The 2025 championship delivered a landmark moment as Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams 18–12 in the final, becoming the first Chinese world champion.

His victory capped a remarkable comeback following a suspension, and it marked a major shift in snooker’s global landscape.

Now 27, Zhao returns as defending champion and runs straight into one of the sport’s most stubborn narratives: the Crucible Curse.

Since 1977, no first-time winner has successfully defended the title at the Crucible. Year after year, champions have fallen at the first hurdle. Zhao has the game and the temperament to challenge that trend, but history is firmly against him.

Favourites to Win the 2026 World Snooker Championship

The outright market is stacked, and this year’s field looks as competitive as ever.

Judd Trump. World Number One

Judd Trump arrives as the man to beat. The world number one continues to churn out titles and centuries with ruthless consistency.

He lifted the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters title and recently passed the 1,000 career century mark. A testament to his relentless scoring power. A world champion in 2019, Trump has the game to dominate Sheffield. The only question is whether he can deliver over the long format again.

Zhao Xintong. The Defending Champion

Zhao’s confidence will be sky-high after last year’s breakthrough. He showed composure under pressure and proved he can handle the Crucible spotlight. Back-to-back titles would be historic but to get there, he’ll have to do something no debut champion has ever managed.

Ronnie O’Sullivan. Chasing History

O’Sullivan remains the headline act. Now 50, he returns for a record-extending 34th consecutive Crucible appearance.

An eighth world title would take him clear of Hendry and cement his legacy as the greatest of all time. If he finds rhythm early, he’s still the most dangerous player in the draw.

Mark Selby, Kyren Wilson and the Rest

Mark Selby is built for the Crucible. His tactical, grinding style makes him a nightmare over long matches.

Kyren Wilson, the 2024 champion, remains a major contender, while Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy bring proven pedigree.

Keep an eye on China’s next wave too. Wu Yize and Si Jiahui are more than capable of deep runs.

Key Facts for 2026

Dates: 18 April – 4 May 2026

Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

Winner’s Prize: £500,000

Total Prize Fund: ~£2.4 million

Broadcast: BBC, Eurosport, discovery+

The Black Ball in the corner pocket

Everything is lined up for a classic.

Zhao Xintong is chasing history against the weight of the Crucible Curse. Judd Trump is playing the best snooker of his career. And Ronnie O’Sullivan is hunting a record-breaking eighth title.

For just over two weeks, Sheffield becomes the centre of the snooker world and if history tells us anything, expect drama, shocks, and moments that will live forever.