Ronnie O'Sullivan Eyes Historic Eighth World Snooker Championship Title

The reigning champion, Zhao Xintong, is set to defend his title at the World Snooker Championship, while Ronnie O'Sullivan aims to make history by securing a record eighth title. They will face stiff competition from top players, including Judd Trump and four-time champion Mark Selby, as well as Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson, and Shaun Murphy, starting from April 18. The tournament, which has been running since 1927, boasts a rich history, from the dominant era of Joe Davis to the modern era, where O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry have made their mark. Since the introduction of 32 players in the first round in 1982, there has never been an instance where all 16 top seeds have advanced to the second round. Zhao will attempt to overcome the 'Crucible Curse' and become the first debut winner to successfully defend the trophy, a feat that has eluded 21 players since 1980. O'Sullivan, who will be making his 34th consecutive appearance at the iconic venue, will begin his campaign on April 21, along with other top seeds, including Mark Allen, Xiao Guodong, Mark Williams, and Barry Hawkins. World No 1 Judd Trump will also start his bid for a second world title on April 21. The top 16 seeds will be randomly drawn against the 16 players who emerge from the qualifying rounds on April 16. In addition to the highest break prize, bonuses of £40,000 and £10,000 will be awarded for maximum breaks made at the main stage and in the qualifying rounds, respectively. An additional bonus of £147,000 is also on offer for any player who achieves two maximums across this season's 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. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan currently hold the record for the most titles, with seven crowns each.