The 2026 World Snooker Championship opens at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre on 18 April, running until 4 May. Defending champion Zhao Xintong kicks off the event against qualifier Liam Highfield at 10:00 BST. A record eleven Chinese players feature among the 32‑man draw, pushing the previous high of ten set last year. Tickets sold out within hours, underscoring the event’s growing global appeal.

Top seeds line up for a marathon quest: world number one Judd Trump sits second, while four‑time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, now 50, hopes to claim a record eighth title. Neil Robertson holds the fourth seed, and former champions Mark Selby, John Higgins and Mark Williams complete the elite group. The final, scheduled for 3 May, offers £500,000 to the victor. A Trump‑O’Sullivan clash looms.

Qualifiers add fresh intrigue: 19‑year‑old England’s Stan Moody and 20‑year‑old Liam Pullen debut, while Poland’s Antoni Kowalski becomes the nation’s first Crucible representative. BBC will broadcast every frame across TV and iPlayer, supplemented by analysis from legends Hendry, Davis and Parrott. Fans can officially expect a grueling 71‑frame path to lift the trophy.