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.

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The final was a thrilling contest that went to a deciding 35th frame, the first such occurrence since 2002. Both players displayed remarkable skill and resilience throughout the match. Murphy initially led with a score of 12-10 after overcoming a 10-7 deficit. However, Wu rallied back, showcasing his talent as he produced a decisive break of 85 in the final frame.

Key statistics from the final:

• Final score: Wu Yize 18, Shaun Murphy 17
• Total frames played: 35
• Murphy’s highest break: 131
• Wu’s decisive break in the final frame: 85
• Score before the last frames: 14-14

This match underscored Wu Yize’s incredible journey. He dropped out of school to pursue snooker, supported by his parents—his mother faced significant health challenges along the way. Wu’s victory also continues a trend of young players succeeding in this sport, following Zhao Xintong’s win in 2025.

Murphy expressed admiration for Wu, saying, “I hate being right; I said earlier in the season after we had a great game out in China that he would be world champion one day.” Despite his loss, Murphy has had an illustrious career and now has four World Championship final defeats to his name. His previous loss was against Mark Selby in 2021.

The match featured an intense back-and-forth battle between both players, with Murphy tying the match at 16-16 before ultimately falling short. His performance demonstrated his determination and skill despite the outcome.

The World Snooker Championship continues to attract global attention, especially with rising stars like Wu Yize representing Chinese snooker players on this prestigious stage. As fans reflect on this year’s thrilling finals, they eagerly await what future tournaments will bring.

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The protest occurred during the final match between Shaun Murphy and Wu Yize. Swan shouted, “who f—ing pays their TV licence anyway” before jumping over a barrier. Security quickly ejected her from the venue.

The match was briefly halted as officials addressed the situation. At that point, Wu Yize led 10-7 after two sessions. This incident is part of a series of disruptions that have affected this year’s World Snooker Championships.

Key incidents during the tournament:

• Another spectator was ejected during the semi-final for shouting about “the Epstein files.”
• The finals were being broadcast live on BBC One.
• This protest follows previous disruptions, including a notable incident in 2024 involving Just Stop Oil activists.

John Parrott, a commentator at the event, addressed viewers saying, “Sorry for that disturbance, it’s all sorted.” Meanwhile, Rob Spencer advised spectators to keep their phones silent to avoid similar incidents.

The atmosphere remains tense as protests continue to emerge around high-profile events. Officials have not confirmed if further security measures will be implemented for upcoming matches.

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The protest caused a brief halt to the match. Security personnel quickly removed the protestor from the venue. This incident followed another disruption during the semi-final when a male spectator shouted about the Epstein files.

John Parrott addressed the crowd after the incident, stating, “Sorry for that disturbance, it’s all sorted.” The match resumed shortly after security dealt with the situation.

Key facts:

• The protest occurred while Wu Yize was leading with a score of 67.
• Shaun Murphy’s score at that time was 31.
• The Crucible Theatre has a seating capacity of 980.
• The event was broadcast live on BBC One.

The protestor’s shout, “Who f***ing pays their TV licence anyway?” drew attention to ongoing debates surrounding public broadcasting funding. The BBC licence fee has faced scrutiny in recent years.

Rob Spencer, another commentator, reminded viewers to keep phones silent, saying, “Make sure your phones are on silent or switched off. Don’t be the person that has to be thrown out.”

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Higgins has been a prominent figure in snooker for decades. He has been seeded at every World Championship since 1996. However, he anticipates stepping back from the sport if his ranking falls outside the top 16. This potential change looms as he considers his future in the sport.

The Crucible Theatre will host the World Championship until 2045, following an extended agreement. Yet, Higgins doubts he will return to compete there after renovations begin post-2028.

Shaun Murphy described his match against Higgins as exhausting yet exhilarating, praising him as a formidable opponent. “What a player, what a man. The harder it gets, the better he seems to play,” Murphy said.

Higgins expressed difficulty in accepting the prospect of qualifying for major tournaments. “I don’t think I can see myself having to qualify for big events,” he remarked. His career spans three decades, making him one of snooker’s legends.

The uncertainty surrounding his ranking and future participation adds weight to his reflections on retirement. As he approaches this potential transition, Higgins’ legacy remains significant in the world of snooker.

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The frame included a stalemate where no balls were potted for 55 minutes. Allen initially led the frame 47-13 before the deadlock occurred. After a lengthy safety exchange, Wu Yize eventually won the frame with a score of 88-66.

The session concluded with both players tied at 7-7 after only six frames were played instead of eight. This match broke the previous record for the longest frame, which was set at 85 minutes during the 2022 World Championship.

Critics quickly voiced their opinions on the match. Steve Davis described it as an embarrassment to snooker, stating, “In a nutshell, that frame is an embarrassment to snooker, and the referees and players’ association need to try to work out a way that never happens again.” John Parrott also commented, saying, “This is the most bizarre frame I’ve ever seen here at the Crucible Theatre.”

Despite this criticism, Mark Allen had shown resilience by recovering from a 6-2 deficit earlier in the match to lead 7-6. However, his efforts fell short in this historic frame.

Officials have not confirmed any changes to snooker rules following this event. The reaction from various players indicates that discussions about game regulations may take place soon.

The next round of matches will continue as scheduled, but many will be watching closely for any adjustments to snooker rules or officiating standards.

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A power fault occurred at 19:51 BST, causing the broadcast feed to drop out. The interruption lasted for 12 minutes, leaving viewers without access to the match. Coverage resumed on BBC iPlayer and TNT after the outage.

Despite the technical issues, Mark Allen managed to win the third frame of the semi-final. He began his campaign with strong momentum, taking advantage of Wu Yize’s momentary distraction. However, after the interruption, Wu Yize quickly established a 6-2 lead over Allen.

The World Snooker Tour confirmed that the broadcast was paused due to a technical issue. Hazel Irvine noted that there was “a big crash, bang and wallop” which likely caused the power failure.

The players returned to complete their frames before the scheduled mid-session interval. This brief delay did not significantly hinder their performance but added an unexpected twist to an already tense match.

Fans eagerly await updates on further developments in this year’s tournament. The outcome of this semi-final will shape both players’ paths in the ongoing World Snooker Championship.

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Selby started strong, leading by two frames early on. However, the tide turned when he missed a routine red shot. This mistake allowed Wu to seize control of the match. Selby later expressed his frustration by hitting his cue against the table. His reaction underscored the intense pressure that comes with competing at this level.

Wu Yize, just 22 years old, reached the quarter-finals after this victory. It was only his second win at the World Snooker Championship. Ronnie O’Sullivan praised Wu’s performance, calling him a ‘more dynamic’ version of Steve Davis. Observers noted that Wu’s skills shone through, especially as he capitalized on Selby’s errors.

Despite scoring more points and potting more balls than Wu during the match, Selby could not secure a win. He admitted to missing too many balls and stated he did not deserve to win. Selby described the playing conditions as atrocious and mentioned that the table had been re-covered before their match.

Selby managed to reduce Wu’s lead from 12-9 to 12-11 before ultimately losing. His frustration was palpable throughout the final frames. Afterward, he reflected on his performance, saying, “I felt like I only played well really in the first session.”

The loss marks another setback for Selby, who has not won a World Championship title in five years. He has previously secured four titles between 2014 and 2021 but now faces increasing pressure to perform.

The next phase for both players remains uncertain. While Selby’s future in upcoming tournaments will be scrutinized, Wu will look to build on this momentum as he progresses in the championship.

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Hawkins took an early lead, going up 7-2 at one point. He demonstrated skill with a break of 99, marking the highest break of the match. This performance showcased his ability to capitalize on opportunities despite past struggles.

However, Hawkins expressed concerns about the table conditions during their match. He compared them to a chaotic ping-pong table. “I don’t like slating the conditions, really, because the fitters do a great job,” he said. Still, he noted that both players struggled with control of the cue ball.

Hawkins highlighted that adapting to the table took time. He remarked, “It’s obviously hard to control the cue ball then, especially if you’re not cueing well and stuff.” His comments reflect a broader issue many players face in high-stakes environments.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong advanced to the last 16 after defeating Liam Highfield 10-7. This result adds pressure on other competitors as they navigate their own matches.

Hawkins’ victory is significant but comes amid ongoing challenges. He acknowledged that confidence plays a crucial role in performance: “When you start getting in a flow and knocking breaks in and getting confidence… that’s when you see the big breaks going in.” His words resonate with many athletes who understand the impact of mental state on physical performance.

As Hawkins progresses in the tournament, he must address these table issues while maintaining his momentum. The upcoming matches will test his adaptability and skill under pressure.

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As the tournament approaches, the official draw is scheduled for April 16 at 8:45 AM. This draw will determine the matchups for the first round, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting competition. Zhao Xintong will kick off his title defense on April 18 at 10 AM, eager to prove his worth against a field of formidable opponents.

Among those opponents is Judd Trump, the current world No. 1, who will begin his matches on April 21. Trump is a seasoned player with a reputation for high-stakes performances, and he will be looking to add another title to his impressive resume. Additionally, Ronnie O’Sullivan, a legendary figure in snooker aiming for his eighth world title, will also start his first-round match on April 21. O’Sullivan’s presence in the tournament adds a layer of excitement, as fans eagerly await his performance.

Mark Selby, a four-time champion, is another key contender in this year’s championship. His experience and skill make him a significant threat to any player in the draw. The competition will also feature rising star Wu Yize, who is expected to make a strong impression in the tournament.

The stakes are high this year, with a top prize of £500,000 for the tournament winner. Additionally, the Midnite Maximum initiative offers a separate prize of £100,000 for achieving a maximum 147 break in the final, further intensifying the competition. Players will also have the opportunity to earn additional prizes for maximum breaks at various stages of the tournament, including £5,000 for the opening round, £10,000 for the second round, £25,000 for the quarter-finals, and £50,000 for the semi-finals.

As the tournament draws near, the excitement among players and fans continues to build. The 2026 World Snooker Championship not only represents a chance for players to showcase their skills but also serves as a platform for emerging talents to make their mark in the sport. With a mix of seasoned champions and new contenders, the event promises to deliver thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.

In summary, the 2026 World Snooker Championship is set to be a landmark event in the snooker calendar. With key players like Zhao Xintong, Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, and Wu Yize in the mix, the competition is expected to be fierce. Fans are eagerly awaiting the official draw and the commencement of matches, as the world’s best snooker players prepare to battle for the prestigious title.

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