2023 World Snooker Championship: Draw, schedule and prize money for the BBC-televised event
- Seb Sternik
- 13 April 2023
The most prestigious snooker tournament on the calendar begins this Saturday as 32 players compete for the right to be crowned world champion.
Following a gruelling campaign on the World Snooker Tour, the finishing line is in sight as the best of the best arrive at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
With a place in snooker's history books on the line and a cheque for £500,000 up for grabs, there's certainly a lot to play for.
Here, we take a look at the favourites, first round draw, schedule, prize money and more ahead of the 47th World Snooker Championship.
Who is the defending champion?
Ronnie O'Sullivan romped to his seventh world championship crown in 2022 after beating Judd Trump 18-13 in the final.
Along the way, The Rocket equalled Steve Davis's record 30 appearances at the Crucible, reached a record 20th quarter-final and a record 13th semi-final.
The player also equalled Stephen Hendry for the number of world title wins - becoming the oldest world champion in the process after winning it at the age of 46.
Who are the favourites?
O'Sullivan heads into the tournament as favourite according to the bookmakers.
The world number one is closely followed by Mark Selby and last year's finalist Judd Trump.
Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy are also in the wings and can never be discounted ahead of what promises to be a thrilling tournament.
READ MORE:
2023 World Snooker Championship tips: Ronnie O'Sullivan favourite to regain Crucible crown
First round draw
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Pang Junxu
Ding Junhui vs Hossein Vafaei
Luca Brecel vs Ricky Walden
Mark Williams vs Jimmy Robertson
Judd Trump vs Anthony McGill
Jack Lisowski vs Noppon Saengkham
Robert Milkins vs Joe Perry
Shaun Murphy vs Si Jiahui
Mark Allen vs Fan Zhengyi
Stuart Bingham vs David Gilbert
Ali Carter vs Jak Jones
Neil Robertson vs Wu Yize
Kyren Wilson vs Ryan Day
John Higgins vs David Grace
Gary Wilson vs Elliot Slessor
Mark Selby vs Matthew Selt
What is the schedule?
First round games at the Crucible will be competed in a best of 19 frames format. These games will start on April 15 and are set to culminate five days later.
The second round will begin on Friday, April 21. These eight match-ups will take place over four days and will be contested in a best of 25 frames format.
The format will remain the same for the quarter-final which will take place across April 25 and 26.
Semi-final action will get underway the next day, with matches being contested in a best of 33 frames format.
The final is scheduled to begin on April 30th, with the winner being the one who prevails over the best of 35 frames format.
How much prize money is on offer?
Winner: £500,000
Runner-up: £200,000
Semi-finalists: £100,000
Quarter-finalists: £50,000
Last 16: £30,000
Last 32: £20,000
Last 48: £15,000
Last 80: £10,000
Last 112: £5,000
Highest break (qualifying stage included): £15,000
Where can I watch the World Snooker Championship?
The tournament will be shown live on the BBC for fans in the United Kingdom.
Eurosport have the broadcasting rights in Europe, while fans in the US and Brazil can follow the action unfold on DAZN.
Matchroom Sport will also provide coverage for select countries and territories.
