The 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship - the 50th consecutive year the event has been held at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre - is just few days away.
First held in 1927, it is the longest-running and most prestigious tournament in professional snooker, with a prize fund of £2,395,000, of which the winner will receive £500,000.
Last year saw Zhao Xingtong defeat Mark Williams 18–12 in the final to win his second Triple Crown title - becoming the sport's first World Champion from Asia and the first player to win a ranking event while competing as an amateur (following a 20 month ban from the game as part of a match fixing investigation).
He will be back to defend his title and is one of the favourites this year - along with these other 10 players who the bookies reckon have a chance at lifting the famous trophy.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
1. Zhao Xintong - 2/1
Defending champion Zhao Xintong is the 2/1 favourite to win the title again thanks to a remarkable 2026 so far in which he has won the World Grand Prix, the Players Championship, and the Tour Championship. He's the man to beat. | Getty Images
.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
2. Judd Trump - 5/1
Current world number one Judd Trump is the 5/1 second favourite for the title. He is currently in fourth place on the list of all-time ranking event winners, with 301 ranking titles including five Triple Crown titles. His only previous World Championship came in 2019 when he beat John Higgins 18-9 in the final. | Getty Images
3. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 13/2
Ronnie O'Sullivan hasn't played a huge amount of snooker this season, but the player considered by many to be the best to have picked up a cue is still the 13/2 third favourite following an impressive run to the final of this year's World Open. He has won the World Snooker Championship seven times - a record number he shares with Stephen Hendry. | AFP via Getty Images
.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
4. Mark Selby - 8/1
Four-time World Champion Mark Selby is 8/1 to win his fifth title this year. The former world number one has won ten Triple Crown titles - fourth on the all-time list. | Getty Images