The 2026 World Snooker Championship is underway at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, with 17 days of gripping action as the world's top players compete for the prestigious trophy. Defending champion Zhao Xintong made history last year as the first Chinese winner and is the bookmakers' favourite to retain his crown, though he must overcome the legendary 'Crucible Curse'—no first-time champion has ever successfully defended the title. He began his campaign with a solid 10-7 victory over Liam Highfield in the first round.
Ronnie O'Sullivan, seeking a record eighth world title, demolished Crucible debutant He Guoqiang 10-2 in his opening match. The seven-time champion now faces a mouthwatering last-16 clash against old rival John Higgins, who defeated Ali Carter 10-7. Other contenders include world number one Judd Trump, who edged past Gary Wilson 10-5; 2024 champion Kyren Wilson, who overcame teenage sensation Stan Moody 10-7; and a rejuvenated Neil Robertson, who beat Pang Junxu 10-6. Four-time winner Mark Selby also advanced with a 10-2 win over Jak Jones.
How to Watch the World Snooker Championship
Every session of every match is broadcast live on the BBC across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, the BBC red button, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website. In the UK, TNT Sports also provides comprehensive coverage, with subscribers able to stream via HBO Max.
Results
Second Round
- Shaun Murphy (8) 13-3 Xiao Guodong (9)
First Round
- Zhao Xintong (1) 10-7 Liam Highfield
- Mark Allen (14) 10-6 Zhang Anda
- Barry Hawkins (11) 10-4 Matthew Stevens
- Xiao Guodong (9) 10-6 Zhou Yuelong
- Mark Williams (6) 10-4 Antoni Kowalski
- Ding Junhui (16) 10-5 David Gilbert
- John Higgins (5) 10-7 Ali Carter
- Kyren Wilson (3) 10-7 Stan Moody
- Wu Yize (10) 10-2 Lei Peifan
- Judd Trump (2) 10-5 Gary Wilson
- Shaun Murphy (8) 10-9 Fan Zhengyi
- Chris Wakelin (13) 10-6 Liam Pullen
- Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) 10-2 He Guoqiang
- Mark Selby (7) 10-2 Jak Jones
- Hossein Vafaei 10-3 Si Jiahui (15)
- Neil Robertson (4) 10-6 Pang Junxu
Full Schedule (All times BST)
*Denotes final session
Saturday 25 April
Second Round
- 10am: Chris Wakelin (13) v Neil Robertson (4); Kyren Wilson (3) 7-9 Mark Allen (14)*
- 2.30pm: Zhao Xintong (1) 4-4 Ding Junhui (16); Hossein Vafaei v Judd Trump (2)
- 7pm: John Higgins (5) v Ronnie O'Sullivan (12); Barry Hawkins (11) 10-6 Mark Williams (6)*
Sunday 26 April
Second Round
- 10am: Zhao Xintong (1) v Ding Junhui (16)*; Mark Selby (7) v Wu Yize (10)
- 2.30pm: Chris Wakelin (13) v Neil Robertson (4); Hossein Vafaei v Judd Trump (2)
- 7pm: John Higgins (5) v Ronnie O'Sullivan (12); Mark Selby (7) v Wu Yize (10)
Monday 27 April
Second Round
- 1pm: John Higgins (5) v Ronnie O'Sullivan (12)*; Mark Selby (7) v Wu Yize (10)*
- 7pm: Chris Wakelin (13) v Neil Robertson (4)*; Hossein Vafaei v Judd Trump (2)*
Tuesday 28 April
Quarter-finals
- 10am: Zhao Xintong (1)/Ding Junhui (16) v Shaun Murphy (8); Kyren Wilson (3)/Mark Allen (14) v Barry Hawkins (11)/Mark Williams (6)
- 2.30pm: John Higgins (5)/Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) v Chris Wakelin (13)/Neil Robertson (4); Mark Selby (7)/Wu Yize (10) v Hossein Vafaei/Judd Trump (2)
- 7pm: Zhao Xintong (1)/Ding Junhui (16) v Shaun Murphy (8); Kyren Wilson (3)/Mark Allen (14) v Barry Hawkins (11)/Mark Williams (6)
Wednesday 29 April
Quarter-finals
- 10am: John Higgins (5)/Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) v Chris Wakelin (13)/Neil Robertson (4)*; Kyren Wilson (3)/Mark Allen (14) v Barry Hawkins (11)/Mark Williams (6)*
- 2.30pm: Zhao Xintong (1)/Ding Junhui (16) v Shaun Murphy (8)*; Mark Selby (7)/Wu Yize (10) v Hossein Vafaei/Judd Trump (2)
- 7pm: John Higgins (5)/Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) v Chris Wakelin (13)/Neil Robertson (4)*; Mark Selby (7)/Wu Yize (10) v Hossein Vafaei/Judd Trump (2)*
Thursday 30 April
Semi-finals
- 1pm: SF 1 - session 1
- 7pm: SF 2 - session 1
Friday 1 May
Semi-finals
- 10am: SF 1 - session 2
- 2.30pm: SF 2 - session 2
- 7pm: SF 1 - session 3
Saturday 2 May
Semi-finals
- 10am: SF 2 - session 3
- 2.30pm: SF 1 - session 4*
- 7pm: SF 2 - session 4*
Sunday 3 May
Final
- 1pm: Session 1
- 7pm: Session 2
Monday 4 May
Final
- 1pm: Session 3
- 7pm: Session 4*
