World Snooker Championship 2026: John Higgins v Shaun Murphy semi-final - head-to-head record, how to watch
It's the Wizard versus the Magician as John Higgins and Shaun Murphy lock horns for a place in World Snooker Championship semi-final.
The action starts at 1pm on Thursday - and it's a match no snooker fan will want to miss.
Englishman Murphy booked his place in the semi-finals with a 13-10 triumph over defending champion Zhao Xintong, who became the 21st player to fall victim to the so-called ‘Crucible curse’.
Speaking after the match, the 2005 world champion said: “I knew going into it that nothing but my best would do, and thankfully I found it in the third session,” said Murphy, the 2005 champion, who has increasingly found his form since squeaking out a 10-9 first-round win over Fan Zhengyi.
“It’s one of the best wins of my career and I’m delighted to win it and get to the semi-finals. I’ve been churning out performances like this week in, week out, and it’s been a real test of determination and perseverance, but I’ve managed to stay the course.”
Murphy now faces Higgins, who sealed his place in his 12th career semi-final with a 13-10 win over the 2010 champion, Neil Robertson.
Higgins said afterwards: “It’s a great achievement to get back to that one table. I’m just proud that I’m still in there fighting.”
What is the head-to-head record between Higgins and Murphy?
Higgins has the upper-hand, but there's not much in it. The Scot leads the career head-to-head over Murphy 16-13. The pair met in the 2009 World Snooker Championship final, with Higgins emerging victorious.
Who is playing on Thursday, April 30
1pm session: Shaun Murphy v John Higgins
7pm session: Mark Allen v Wu Yize
What’s the prize money at the 2026 World Snooker Championship?
A total of £2.395 million in money is up for grabs at the World Snooker Championship, with the money allocated as follows:
Winner: £500,000 Runner-up: £200,000 Semi-finalists: £100,000 Quarter-finalists: £50,000 Last 16: £30,000 Last 32: £20,000 Last 48: £15,000 Last 80: £10,000 Last 112: £5,000 Highest break: £15,000
What trophy is presented at the World Snooker Championships?
The instantly-recognisable World Championship trophy dates back to 1926 when it was bought by pioneering player Joe David for just £19.
It’s made of silver, weighs 46.5 troy ounces, and is topped by the figure of a Greek shepherdess - not a snooker player, as some people presume.
Read more: Snooker World Championship 2026: Best player nicknames including 'Rocket' Ronnie O'Sullivan
What is the format of the Snooker World Championship?
All first-round matches are the best of 19 frames (first to 10 frames) played over two session.
Second-round matches and the quarter-finals are the best of 25 frames (first to 13 frames), played over three sessions.
The semi-finals are the best of 33 frames (first to 17 frames) played over four sessions.
The final is the best of 35 frames (first to 18 frames) played over four sessions.
Who is favourite to win the World Snooker Championship 2026?
Wu Yize is the bookies’ favourite, with odds of 2-1. Shaun Murphy is 9/4, followed by John Higgins at 3/1 and Mark Allen at 4/1.
How can I watch the World Snooker Championship 2026?
As ever, full coverage of all matches will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC Two, and streamed on the Red Button and the BBC iPlayer.
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