Wu Yize won the 2026 World Snooker Championship by defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on May 5, 2026. This victory marks another milestone for Chinese snooker, as he becomes the latest world champion from the country.
Wu Yize received £500,000 in prize money for his achievement. He is now ranked number four in the world snooker rankings. Judd Trump remains the world number one after the season, while Zhao Xintong holds third place.
Chang Bingyu, who produced a 147 maximum break during the qualifying stage, earned £172,000 despite not participating in the main tournament. Chang was previously banned for 20 months due to a match-fixing scandal. Officials noted that he was only 20 at the time of his infractions.
The final match between Wu and Murphy was notable for lasting all 35 frames, making it one of the few finals to do so. Wu expressed gratitude towards his mother, stating, “My mum wasn’t in very good health condition for a long time. She sacrificed everything for me.”
Key statistics:
- Prize money for Wu Yize: £500,000
- Total earnings for Chang Bingyu: £172,000
- Maximum break by Chang Bingyu: 147
- Wu Yize’s world ranking: 4
- Judd Trump’s world ranking: 1
- Zhao Xintong’s world ranking: 3
Looking ahead, players will participate in Q School tournaments from May 13 to May 31, 2026. These events will help secure spots on the World Snooker Tour.
