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.
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5. Kyren Wilson - 11/1
Former champion Kyren Wilson is a 11/1 shot to recover the title he won in 2024. The English player has won a total of 10 ranking titles to date. | Getty Images
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6. Shaun Murphy - 16/1
Shaun Murphy's sole world championship win came back in 2005, when he became only the third qualifier to take the title. He's been runner-up three times since and is 16/1 to win his second title this year. | Getty Images
7. Wu Yize - 16/1
A potential megastar of the future, Wu Yize was named Rookie of the Year in 2022 and won his first title last year at the International Championship, defeating John Higgins 10–6 in the final. He's a 16/1 shot to go all the way at the Crucible this year. | Getty Images
8. Neil Robertson - 20/1
Aussie player Neil Robertson remains the the only non-UK born player to have completed snooker's Triple Crown. He's 20/1 to win his second world title. claiming his first in 2010. | Getty Images