World Snooker Championship 2025 Results: Zhao Xintong Wins
Zhao Xintong walked into the Crucible Theatre as a qualifier and left with the world title, defeating Mark Williams 18–12 in May 2025 to become the first Chinese player ever to win the World Snooker Championship. The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for Zhao, who had faced a suspension before his dramatic return to the sport. The final score of 18–12 (verified by Sky Sports) underlined the dominance of his performance across two days of play.
Winner: Zhao Xintong ·
Runner-up: Mark Williams ·
Final Score: 18–12 ·
Semi-final Highlight: Zhao beat O’Sullivan 17–7 ·
Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Quick snapshot
- Zhao Xintong 18–12 Mark Williams (Sky Sports)
- First Chinese world champion (Sky Sports)
- Exact qualifying round dates
- Full qualifying results beyond Jimmy White match
- Semi-finals: Zhao led O’Sullivan 12–4 (May 2)
- Final: May 4–5, 2025
- Zhao ranked 1st in 2025–26 prize money
- 2026 championship cycle begins
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Event | 2025 World Snooker Championship |
| Champion | Zhao Xintong |
| Runner-up | Mark Williams |
| Dates | 19 May 2025 |
| Venue | Crucible Theatre, Sheffield |
| Total Prize Fund | £2,395,000 |
| Winner Prize | £500,000 |
| Final Format | Best of 35 frames |
World snooker championship 2025 results winners list
Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship, defeating three-time champion Mark Williams 18–12 in the final played on May 4–5, 2025 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The victory completed a remarkable journey for Zhao, who entered the tournament through qualifying and climbed his way to the world title.
Zhao’s 18–12 margin of victory was decisive. He never allowed Williams to mount a sustained comeback, building leads in every session and closing out the match with authority.
Semi-finals
In the semi-finals, Zhao Xintong faced seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in a match played best of 33 frames. After the second session on May 2, Zhao led 12–4, and he ultimately closed out the match 17–7 (Sky Sports). In the other semi-final, Mark Williams faced Judd Trump. After the second session on May 3, they were tied 8–8 before Williams prevailed to reach the final.
Quarter-finals
Quarter-final results saw Mark Williams defeat John Higgins 13–12, while Zhao Xintong beat Chris Wakelin 13–5. Judd Trump defeated Luca Brecel 13–8, and Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Si Jiahui 13–9 (Sky Sports). Reigning champion Kyren Wilson was eliminated early in the tournament.
Round 2 Highlights
The second round delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable moments. Mark Allen made a maximum 147 break against Chris Wakelin, with Allen having trailed 12–4 before his remarkable comeback and 147. The break earned Allen a £40,000 bonus (The Sporting News). Judd Trump entered as world number one and second seed.
World Snooker Championship 2025 schedule
The 2025 World Snooker Championship ran from 19 April to 5 May 2025 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The tournament began with first-round matches before progressing through second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.
Key Dates
The main draw began on 19 April 2025. Quarter-finals were completed by late May 2025. Semi-finals took place on May 2–3, 2025. The final was contested across May 4–5, 2025 (Sky Sports).
Session Times
Matches were typically played in two daily sessions: afternoon sessions started at 10:00 GMT, with evening sessions at 19:00 GMT. Semi-finals and finals had extended scheduling to accommodate the longer best-of formats.
The Crucible’s compressed two-session daily schedule creates intensity that forces players to maintain focus across multiple high-pressure frames each day.
What is the prize money for world snooker 2025?
The total prize fund for the 2025 World Snooker Championship was £2,395,000, according to The Sporting News. The breakdown provided substantial rewards at each stage of the tournament.
Breakdown
Six stages of prize money with consistent drops: winner receives £500,000, runner-up gets £200,000, semi-finalists earn £100,000 each, quarter-finalists take £50,000 each, last 16 receives £30,000 each, and last 32 players earn £20,000 each (The Sporting News).
| Stage | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | £500,000 |
| Runner-up | £200,000 |
| Semi-finalists | £100,000 each |
| Quarter-finalists | £50,000 each |
| Last 16 | £30,000 each |
| Last 32 | £20,000 each |
| Qualifying last 48 | £15,000 each |
| Qualifying last 80 | £10,000 each |
| Qualifying last 112 | £5,000 each |
Maximum Break Bonus
Maximum break bonuses added significant extra income for skilled players. Mark Allen received £40,000 for his 147 break at the main stage (The Sporting News). If multiple players achieved the highest break of the tournament, the £15,000 highest-break bonus was shared (Wikipedia). Maximum breaks in qualifying earned a £10,000 bonus.
How much did Mark Allen get for 147?
Mark Allen earned £40,000 for his maximum 147 break against Chris Wakelin in the second round, according to The Sporting News. This bonus applies to maximum breaks scored during the main stage of the tournament.
Allen had trailed Wakelin 12–4 before producing his maximum break, adding drama to the achievement. The £40,000 bonus is separate from the stage-based prize money he received for reaching the second round. Combined with the £20,000 last-32 prize, Allen’s tournament earnings from prize money alone totaled £60,000 before any highest-break bonus.
The 147 bonus structure creates a financial incentive for players to attempt difficult shots even when match security is at stake, adding to the spectacle for viewers.
World Snooker Championship 2025 qualifying
The qualifying rounds determined which players would join the seeded players in the main draw at the Crucible Theatre. Qualifying ran before the main draw began on 19 April 2025.
Qualifiers List
Jimmy White won a qualifying match 10–9 against Anton Kazakov in his 45th World Championship appearance, according to Wikipedia. Qualifying provided opportunities for players outside the top seedings to earn their place in the main draw.
Key Matches
Qualifying matches were played over several days before the main draw began. Players who advanced through qualifying joined the seeded players in the first round. The qualifying last 48 received £15,000 each, last 80 received £10,000 each, and last 112 received £5,000 each (The Sporting News).
World Snooker Championship 2025 timeline
The tournament’s decisive phase unfolded across semi-finals and final, producing a historic outcome for Chinese snooker.
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Semi-finals | Zhao Xintong beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 17–7 |
| Semi-finals | Mark Williams beat Judd Trump 17–15 |
| Final — May 4 | Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams 18–12 |
| 15 April 2025 | BBC reports seeds and start confirmation |
The timeline shows how decisively Zhao dominated the tournament’s business end, winning his last 34 frames across semi-final and final.
Clarity section
Several results and figures stand as confirmed, while some peripheral details remain less certain.
Confirmed facts
- Zhao Xintong winner from Sky Sports and multiple verified sources
- Final score 18–12 against Mark Williams
- Semi-final 17–7 against Ronnie O’Sullivan
- First Chinese winner in tournament history
- Total prize fund £2,395,000 (The Sporting News)
- Winner prize £500,000
What’s unclear
- Exact qualifying round dates beyond general April timing
- Full qualifying results beyond Jimmy White’s match
- Post-event prize money updates for individual players
What people are saying
Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese winner of the World Snooker Championship when he defeated three-time champion Mark Williams 18–12 in the 2025 final.
— Sky Sports (sports news outlet)
With the reigning champion Kyren Wilson already eliminated, a new name will be engraved on the prestigious trophy in 2025.
— The Sporting News (sports publication)
For snooker fans and players alike, Zhao’s victory signals a shift in the sport’s global landscape. His season prize money ranking of 1st in 2025–26 (£1,036,267) from CueTracker confirms his dominance following the championship win.
Summary
The 2025 World Snooker Championship delivered a historic result as Zhao Xintong’s 18–12 victory over Mark Williams at the Crucible Theatre marked the first time a Chinese player lifted the world trophy. Beyond the landmark achievement, the tournament featured compelling storylines including Mark Allen’s £40,000 maximum break bonus and Judd Trump’s presence as world number one. With a total prize fund of £2,395,000, the financial rewards reflected the event’s prestige. For players and fans watching the sport’s evolution, Zhao’s ascent from qualifying rounds to world champion represents both a personal triumph and a new chapter in snooker’s international reach.
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Zhao Xintong’s 18-12 triumph over Mark Williams crowned him China’s first champion while securing £500k prize money that redefined his post-suspension career.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the World Snooker Championship 2025?
Zhao Xintong won the 2025 World Snooker Championship, defeating Mark Williams 18–12 in the final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
What was the score in the 2025 World Snooker Championship final?
Zhao Xintong beat Mark Williams 18–12 in the final, played across May 4–5, 2025.
When did the World Snooker Championship 2025 end?
The championship concluded on May 5, 2025.
Where was the World Snooker Championship 2025 held?
The tournament was held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.
What are the dates for the World Snooker Championship 2025?
The event ran from 19 April to 5 May 2025.
Who did Zhao Xintong beat in the semi-finals?
Zhao Xintong defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 17–7 in the semi-finals, a best-of-33 frames match.
What is the venue for the World Snooker Championship?
The World Snooker Championship is traditionally held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.
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