World Snooker Championship 2025: Format, Favourites & Betting Guide

Mention snooker to anyone, and two things will instantly come to mind – Ronnie O'Sullivan and the Crucible Theatre.

The iconic duo will dominate the spotlight over the next 20 days or so, as fans of this gentleman’s sport turn their full attention to the ultimate snooker showdown.

The legendary venue in Sheffield will host the world’s finest players for the 49th consecutive year. Since 1977, this theatre has been the home of the most prestigious event on the snooker calendar – the World Snooker Championship.

In 2025, the Crucible welcomes the crème de la crème: reigning champion Kyren Wilson, the legendary Class of ’92 – Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams – plus fan favourites like Judd Trump and Luca Brecel, all ready to chase snooker immortality.

World Snooker Championship 2025 – Format

The World Snooker Championship brings together the top 32 players in the world.

Sixteen of them qualify automatically based on their world rankings, while the other 16 earn their spots through a long and challenging qualifying process.

The qualifiers consist of four rounds, where lower-ranked professionals and ambitious amateurs battle for one of the final 16 places in the main draw.

Tournament Match Structure:

First Round (Last 32): Best of 19 frames (first to 10)

Second Round & Quarter-finals: Best of 25 frames (first to 13)

Semi-finals: Best of 33 frames (first to 17)

Final: Best of 35 frames (first to 18), played over two days and four sessions

Prize Money:

Total prize pool: £2,395,000

Winner’s share: £500,000

Along with the cash, the champion earns the world title – a career-defining honour that guarantees a place in snooker history.

The 2025 Snooker World Championship Favourites

According to bookmakers, Judd Trump is slightly ahead of O’Sullivan in the winner odds, often at 4.5 to win.

Trump is known for his aggressive style, pinpoint accuracy and cool-headed confidence. He won the title in 2019 and enters the 2025 tournament in fine form, having already claimed the UK Championship 2024 and Saudi Masters.

There’s no need for the special introduction – Ronnie O'Sullivan is the face of modern snooker for the last 20 years.

Widely regarded as the greatest of all time, he's also among the sport’s most eccentric and charismatic figures. With over 1,200 career centuries and 7 world titles, The Rocket remains a serious contender, even as he nears 50.

Kyren Wilson – Can He Break the Crucible Curse?

Kyren Wilson, the reigning world champion, is also among the favourites – but history is not on his side.

No debutant winner has ever defended their title at the Crucible, a phenomenon known in the snooker community as the "Crucible Curse."

Other Major Contenders

• Mark Selby – 4x World Champion

• Mark Williams – 3x World Champion

• Neil Robertson – One of the most consistent players of the last decade

• John Higgins – 4x World Champion

• Mark Allen – In top form heading into 2025

This year’s field is stacked with talent, and no match will be easy.

Snooker Records That Could Be Broken in 2025

Ronnie O’Sullivan and His Legacy

• 7 World Titles – tied with Stephen Hendry

• Oldest World Champion – won in 2022 at 46 years and 148 days

• Youngest Champion – Stephen Hendry, won in 1990 at 21 years and 106 days

• Fastest 147 Break – 5 minutes and 8 seconds at the Crucible in 1997

• Most 147s in history – 15 maximum breaks

There’s always something historic on the line when Ronnie steps into the Crucible.

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