World Snooker Championship 2025 odds and contenders

The World Snooker Championship returns to the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, this weekend, as the best players from around the globe compete in the game’s most prestigious tournament.

The action will unfold from Saturday, 19 April until the final session in the decider on Monday, 5 May.

Englishman Judd Trump is the early favourite to go all the way in Sheffield, with Ladbrokes offering odds of 7/2 for a repeat of his 2019 glory.

Next on the list of fancied contenders is Mark Selby at 11/2, with snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan the third favorite at 13/2.

Defending champion Kyren Wilson will not give up his crown without a fight, and coming into the World Snooker Championship in decent form, he is considered to be a solid outside bet at 7/1.

The 33-year-old would be the first player in the modern Crucible era to successfully defend his title as a first-time champion if he can rekindle his form from 2024.

The draw for the first round of the 2025 World Snooker Championship will take place tomorrow (17 April) when the top 16 seeds will discover their path to glory at the 49th edition of the tournament at the spiritual home of snooker.

The qualifying process concludes today, with 16 winners from the round of 48 making up the full list of 32 contenders vying for glory.

One player who has stormed through the qualifiers is former UK champion Zhao Xintong.

He secured his place in the World Snooker Championship main event with a 10-8 victory over Elliot Slessor on Tuesday evening at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Zhao is currently playing under amateur status ahead of his return to the professional ranks next season, on his comeback from an infamous match-fixing probe in 2023.

Back then, he was ranked at world number six before his 20-month ban commenced, but thanks to his first-place finish on the Q Tour Europe ranking list, he has earned the chance to compete for the £500,000 top prize at the Crucible.

At 12/1, Zhou Xintong is the seventh favourite to go all the way in the World Snooker Championship tournament.

WELCOME BACK TO THE CRUCIBLE, ZHAO!