The 2025 World Snooker Championship has officially kicked off, running from April 19 to May 5 at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, UK. This prestigious tournament features 32 of the world's top players, all vying for the coveted title and a share of the substantial prize fund of £2,395,000, roughly $3.18 million. The stakes are high, with the winner set to take home a staggering £500,000 ($663,275), while the runner-up will receive £200,000 ($265,310).
Defending champion Kyren Wilson is back to defend his title after last year’s thrilling victory over Jak Jones, where he triumphed 18-14 in the final. Wilson’s journey begins against Lei Peifan, who recently clinched the Scottish Open title, making for an exciting opening match. "I'm ready to defend my title and break the Crucible Curse that has seen no first-time champion retain their crown since 1977," Wilson stated confidently.
One of the most anticipated matches of the first round is undoubtedly the clash between seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and two-time runner-up Ali Carter. Their rivalry has been marked by tension, especially after O'Sullivan labeled Carter a "nightmare" to play against following their last encounter at the Masters. This match is scheduled for April 22, and fans are eager to see if O'Sullivan can secure his record-breaking eighth world title.
The tournament format is designed to heighten the drama, with first-round matches played over a best-of-19 frames. As the competition progresses, the stakes increase: the second round and quarter-finals are best-of-25 frames, while the semi-finals will be best-of-33. Finally, the championship match will be a best-of-35 frames epic, spanning two days.
For fans in the United States, the entire event is available for streaming exclusively through WST Play via matchroom.live. In the UK, viewers can catch all the action live on the BBC, with coverage starting on BBC Two and moving to BBC One and BBC Four throughout the tournament. Coverage also extends to TNT Sports, which will broadcast every match, providing multiple viewing options for snooker enthusiasts.
As the tournament unfolds, notable players to keep an eye on include Mark Selby, who has been picked by snooker legend Stephen Hendry as a favorite for the title, and Zhao Xintong, who is making a comeback after a ban. The excitement is palpable as fans anticipate the high-quality snooker that the World Championship consistently delivers.
The prize fund distribution ensures that every player competing has something to play for. Beyond the winner's purse, semi-finalists will receive £100,000, quarter-finalists will earn £50,000, and those reaching the last 16 are guaranteed £30,000. Even players exiting in the first round will walk away with at least £20,000, and an additional £15,000 is awarded for the highest break of the tournament.
The first round matches kicked off on April 19, with Wilson facing Lei Peifan at 10 a.m. local time. Other matches included Xiao Guodong against Matthew Selt and Neil Robertson taking on Chris Wakelin. The second round is set to commence on April 24, followed by the quarter-finals on April 26, and the semi-finals starting May 1.
The final, which is always the highlight of the snooker calendar, will take place over two sessions on May 4 and 5, starting at 1 p.m. UK time each day. With the potential for thrilling encounters and the possibility of history being made, the 2025 World Snooker Championship promises to be a must-watch event for fans around the globe.
As the competition progresses, the excitement will only build, with players looking to etch their names into snooker history. With the likes of O'Sullivan, Wilson, and Selby in the mix, the question remains: who will emerge victorious at the end of this grueling tournament?
