The World Snooker Championship stands as the premier snooker event globally. Each year, it brings together the best players to compete for the prestigious World Championship title. This tournament, which has been held since 1927, marks the culmination of the professional snooker season.
The 2026 World Snooker Championship (officially the Halo World Snooker Championship 2026) took place from 18 April to 4 May 2026 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The tournament marked the 50th consecutive World Championship held at the iconic venue. The total prize fund was £2.395 million, with the winner receiving £500,000.
2027 World Snooker Championship
The 2027 World Snooker Championship will take place from 17 April to 3 May 2027 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The qualifying matches will be held from 5 to 14 April. The Crucible will once again serve as the main venue for the tournament, bringing together the world's best players to compete for the most prestigious title of the season.
Participants and Tournament Format
The main draw of the World Championship traditionally features 32 players. Sixteen players qualify automatically based on their positions in the world rankings, while the remaining 16 places are determined through the qualifying tournament.
Matches in the main stage follow the traditional World Championship format:
- first round — best of 19 frames;
- second round and quarter-finals — best of 25 frames;
- semi-finals — best of 33 frames;
- final — best of 35 frames.
The long match format requires players to maintain a high level of concentration, psychological resilience and consistency over several days.
Main Favorites and Participants
The leading players in the world rankings will be among the main contenders for the title. Particular attention will be focused on defending champion Wu Yize, who won his first World Championship title at the Crucible in 2026.
Other players capable of competing for the trophy include Shaun Murphy, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and other members of the world snooker elite.
The final list of participants in the main draw will be determined after the qualifying tournament.
History of the Championship
The World Snooker Championship has been held since 1927 and is regarded as the most prestigious tournament of the professional snooker season. Over the decades, the event has become one of the most important competitions in world snooker.
Since 1977, the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield has been the permanent home of the championship. The venue has hosted numerous legendary matches and witnessed many historic achievements in professional snooker.
In 2026, it was confirmed that the World Championship would continue to be held at the Crucible as part of the long-term development of the venue.
Tournament Features
The main feature of the World Championship is the length of its matches. Unlike most other ranking events, matches at different stages of the tournament can last for several days.
The number of frames required to win increases as players progress through the draw. As a result, competitors need not only technical skill but also exceptional physical and psychological endurance.
Winning the World Championship is considered the greatest achievement in the career of a professional snooker player.
Biggest Bets on the Tournament
Information about the largest bets placed on the World Snooker Championship is rarely disclosed by bookmakers. Nevertheless, the tournament attracts significant interest from betting fans every year due to its long duration, large number of matches and participation of the world's leading snooker players.
Championship Results for the Last 3 Years
| Year | Venue | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sheffield, England | Wu Yize (China) |
| 2025 | Sheffield, England | Zhao Xintong (China) |
| 2024 | Sheffield, England | Kyren Wilson (England) |
In 2026, Wu Yize won his first World Championship title after defeating Shaun Murphy 18–17 in the final.
2028 World Snooker Championship
The 2028 World Snooker Championship is expected to be held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. At present, the exact dates for the 2028 tournament have not been officially announced.
The World Championship is expected to continue taking place at the Crucible under the long-term agreement. More information about the dates and schedule of the 2028 World Snooker Championship will be announced at a later date.
Keep an eye on the dates of championships and other events in our Sporting Events Calendar.
