World Snooker Championship 2026 Today: Thursday order of play, prize money, format and how to watch - what day is John Higgins vs Ronnie O'Sullivan match?
It’s day six at the biggest snooker tournament of the year
First held in 1927, the World Snooker Championship is the longest-running and most prestigious tournament in professional snooker, with a prize fund of nearly £2.4 million.
Last year saw China's Zhao Xintong crowned the king of the snooker world after he beat three-time champion Mark Williams 18–12 in the final.
This year’s tournament got underway on Saturday, April 18, with Xintong the first player through to the second round. Since then, big names including Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Mark Williams and Kyren Wilson have all progressed to the second round.
Scotland’s very own John Higgins, who beat Ali Carter 10-7 in the first round, now faces a mouthwatering second round match against Ronnie O’Sullivan. The Rocket downed He Guoqiang 10-2 as he kicked off his quest for a record-breaking eighth title at The Crucible in Sheffield.
Who is playing on Thursday, April 23
1pm session: Si Jiahui v Hossein Vafaei (Vafaei leads 6-3) ; Xiao Guodong v Shaun Murphy
7pm session: Neil Robertson v Pang Junxu (Robertson leads 5-4); Kyren Wilson v Mark Allen
Here’s everything you need to know about that match and everything else happening at the tournament.
When is the 2026 World Snooker Championship?
The tournament itself takes place from Saturday, April 18, to Monday, May 4 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.
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.
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?
Zhao Xintong is the bookies’ favourite, with odds 9/4, followed by Judd Trump 4/1; Ronnie O'Sullivan 9/2; Mark Selby 6/1; Kyren Wilson 11/1; Wu Yize 14/1; Neil Robertson 18/1; Shaun Murphy 18/1; Mark Allen 20/1; John Higgins 20/1; Mark Williams 25/1; Barry Hawkins 33/1 and Ding Junhui 40/1.
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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