Snooker World Championship Preview

The 2025 World Snooker Championship is edging closer, with the action set to begin on April 19 at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, marking its 49^th year at the legendary venue. Defending champion Kyren Wilson will be out to overcome the Crucible curse by becoming the first first-time winner to successfully defend their title since the switch to the Crucible in 1977.

Top contenders include current world number one Judd Trump, four-time champion Mark Selby, and seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan, who recently achieved a 147 break in practice, suggesting he could be in good form despite limited appearances this season. The tournament prize fund is £2.4 million, with the winner scooping £500,000. The action will be broadcast live around the world.

The Future of the Crucible

While the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield remains the cherished home of the World Championship, discussions are ongoing about the tournament’s future and location. Concerns over the Crucible’s limited capacity and outdated facilities have led to considerations of moving the showpiece event to a large and more modern venue, potentially abroad, with both China and Saudi Arabia mentioned. The current contract with Sheffield runs through 2027, so the long-term home of the tournament remains unknown.

Previous World Championship Winners

There has been a diverse array of world champions in snooker over the past decade, reflecting how competitive the sport is and how challenging winning the World Snooker Championship is.

This last decade has seen multiple-time world champions like Mark Selby and Ronnie O’Sullivan cement their legacies, while Judd Trump has come to the fore and taken his game to another level since triumphing in 2019. Kyren Wilson won his first world title in 2024 after being runner-up to O’Sullivan in 2020. Now he’s out to be the first first-time winner at the Crucible to return and defend his crown. He’s played well since becoming world champion, so he’ll be confident.

The Contenders

While there’s always the potential for any player to have a good tournament in Sheffield and put themselves in contention to win the Snooker World Championship, there are players who are considered contenders. Snooker players who have won the World Championship previously are always seen as having a chance because they know what it takes. Here are some of the leading contenders in 2025, and you can bet on who will be triumphant by checking out World Snooker Championship Outright betting.

Judd Trump

Judd Trump is the world number one and the current favourite heading into the World Snooker Championship. Trump has enjoyed a stellar season, winning multiple titles and reaching several finals, bagging over £800,000 in prize money in the process. The 2019 champion’s attacking style and consistency make him a strong contender to secure his second Crucible title.

Ronnie O’Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world champion, remains the sport’s biggest draw. Despite a lighter schedule this season, O’Sullivan has shown he still has what it takes, and his 147 break in practice shows he could be coming into form at the right time. The Rocket has been known to rise to the occasion on the big stage but can sometimes wilt under pressure. It’s why he’s still box office.

Mark Selby

A four-time world champion, Mark Selby is one of the best tactical players in the sport and a player who can grind out wins. Nicknamed “The Jester from Leicester,” Selby has picked up two ranking titles this season, including the World Grand Prix, proving he’s still one of the sport’s best. Selby’s ability to wear down opponents makes him tailor-made for further Crucible success.

Neil Robertson

The 2010 world champion enters the championship with quiet confidence. While he’s failed to replicate his past dominance at the Crucible recently, Robertson is slowly finding form again and has picked up ranking titles this season. As one of the most naturally gifted cueists, if the Aussie can find form early doors, he could be a threat later in the competition.

Luca Brecel

Luca Brecel made history when he became the first player from continental Europe to win the Snooker World Championship in 2023, defeating Mark Selby in a thrilling final. Brecel has a fearless, free-flowing style, one that viewers really buy into. While his form has dipped since then, he remains capable of defeating anyone on his day, and he could be a dark horse at the Crucible once again.

Can O’Sullivan Win A Historic Eighth World Championship?

Ronnie O’Sullivan, a seven-time World Snooker Champion, enters the 2025 World Championship with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. At 49 years old, he shares the record for the most world titles with Stephen Hendry. However, recent challenges have cast doubt on his capability to secure a historic eighth.

Since the turn of the year, O’Sullivan has withdrawn from multiple tournaments, citing physical and mental health issues. The Rocket has expressed feelings of burnout and a diminished passion for the game, stating, “I’d be happy just to win a match” at the Crucible this year.

Despite these issues, O’Sullivan has shown glimpses of his brilliance. In a recent practice session out in Saudi Arabia, he achieved a 147 maximum break in under seven minutes, showing he’s still got what it takes to compete at the highest level.

In the eyes of many, O’Sullivan is the greatest player ever to pick up a snooker cue already, even though he’s level with Hendry for world titles. However, if The Rocket were to win a historic eighth, it would cement his status as the greatest snooker player of all time.

Final Thoughts

The World Snooker Championship at the Crucible is the showpiece event on the snooker calendar. The Crucible, for all the criticism it receives, is the home of snooker, and the tournament remains the most-watched snooker event. Heading into the 2025 World Championship, there are several questions that ultimately will be answered when the final comes around at the beginning of May, starting with whether Kyren Wilson can become the player to end the so-called Crucible curse and make it back-to-back triumphs. Someone will end the curse one day, so why can’t it be Wilson?

Of course, all eyes and attention will be on Ronnie O’Sullivan. The Rocket is a bit of an unknown quantity in terms of his form and state of mind right now. He’s always been unpredictable, but since the turn of the year, even more so. Time is running out for O’Sullivan to win a historic eighth world title.

Finally, with the World Championship being a gruelling tournament that requires consistency and an ability to grind out wins, and this plays into the hands of current world number one, Judd Trump, and four-time world champion Mark Selby. Could this be the year that one of the game’s most consistent performers gets their hands back on the coveted trophy? As always, all the action is available to place wagers on via snooker betting at BetVictor.