World Snooker Championship Schedule: Ronnie O'Sullivan Aims for Historic Eighth Title

The World Snooker Championship is set to commence, with defending champion Zhao Xintong seeking to overcome the 'Crucible Curse' and become the first maiden winner to successfully retain the title. Meanwhile, Ronnie O'Sullivan will attempt to make history by claiming a record-breaking eighth world title. They will face stiff competition from top players, including Judd Trump and four-time champion Mark Selby, as the tournament gets underway on April 18. The championship has a rich history, dating back to 1927, with legendary players like Joe Davis, Steve Davis, and Stephen Hendry having left their mark on the sport. O'Sullivan, who will be making his 34th consecutive appearance at the iconic Crucible venue, will begin his campaign on April 21. The top 16 seeds will be randomly drawn against the 16 players who emerge from the qualifying rounds on April 16. The tournament will feature a range of exciting matches, with bonuses on offer for maximum breaks and a potential £147,000 bonus for any player who achieves two maximums across the Triple Crown events and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters. Since 1977, there have been 24 different champions, with Zhao Xintong being the most recent winner in 2025, becoming the first champion from Asia. The stage is set for an enthralling championship, with O'Sullivan and Hendry currently holding the record for the most titles won, with seven crowns each.