photo
The World Snooker Championship trophy

The World Snooker Championship is an annual snooker tournament founded in 1927, and played at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England since 1977. The tournament is now played over seventeen days in late April and early May, and is chronologically the third of the three Triple Crown events of the season. The event was not held from 1941 to 1945 because of World War II and between 1958 and 1963 due to declining interest from players.

The governing body that organises this event is the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). Prior to the WPBSA assuming control of the professional game in 1968, the world championship was organised by the Billiards Association and Control Council (BACC), except for between 1952 and 1957 when the Professional Billiards Players' Association (PBPA) staged their own event, the World Professional Match-play Championship, following a dispute with the BACC.

As of 2025, 29 players have won the World Snooker Championship. The most successful player at the World Snooker Championship is Joe Davis, who won fifteen consecutive titles between 1927 and 1946. The record in the modern era, usually dated from the reintroduction in 1969 of a knock-out tournament format, rather than a challenge format, is shared by Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan, both having won the title seven times.

Champions

Format
FormatOrganiser
Knockout tournament ()BACC
Challenge event with defending champion receiving a bye to the final (*)BACC
World Professional Match-play Championship (◊)PBPA
Challenge matches (‡)BACC
Knockout tournamentWPBSA
List of World Snooker Championship winners
YearWinnerRunner-upFinal scoreSeasonVenue
List of World Snooker Championship winners Year Winner Runner-up Final score Season Venue 1927 Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Dennis (ENG) 20–11 n/a Camkin's Hall, Birmingham 1928* Joe Davis (ENG) Fred Lawrence (ENG) 16–13 n/a Camkin's Hall, Birmingham 1929 Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Dennis (ENG) 19–14 n/a Lounge Hall, Nottingham 1930 Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Dennis (ENG) 25–12 n/a Thurston's Hall, London 1931 Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Dennis (ENG) 25–21 n/a Lounge Hall, Nottingham 1932 Joe Davis (ENG) Clark McConachy (NZL) 30–19 n/a Thurston's Hall, London 1933 Joe Davis (ENG) Willie Smith (ENG) 25–18 n/a Joe Davis Centre, Chesterfield 1934 Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Newman (ENG) 25–22 n/a Lounge Hall, Nottingham and Central Hall, Kettering 1935 Joe Davis (ENG) Willie Smith (ENG) 25–20 n/a Thurston's Hall, London 1936 Joe Davis (ENG) Horace Lindrum (AUS) 34–27 n/a 1937 Joe Davis (ENG) Horace Lindrum (AUS) 32–29 n/a 1938 Joe Davis (ENG) Sidney Smith (ENG) 37–24 n/a 1939 Joe Davis (ENG) Sidney Smith (ENG) 43–30 n/a 1940 Joe Davis (ENG) Fred Davis (ENG) 37–36 n/a 1941–1945: No tournament 1946 Joe Davis (ENG) Horace Lindrum (AUS) 78–67 n/a Royal Horticultural Hall, London 1947 Walter Donaldson (SCO) Fred Davis (ENG) 82–63 n/a Leicester Square Hall, London 1948 Fred Davis (ENG) Walter Donaldson (SCO) 84–61 n/a 1949 Fred Davis (ENG) Walter Donaldson (SCO) 80–65 n/a 1950 Walter Donaldson (SCO) Fred Davis (ENG) 51–46 n/a Tower Circus, Blackpool 1951 Fred Davis (ENG) Walter Donaldson (SCO) 58–39 n/a 1952 Horace Lindrum (AUS) Clark McConachy (NZL) 94–49 n/a Houldsworth Hall, Manchester 1952Fred Davis (ENG) Walter Donaldson (SCO) 38–35 n/a Tower Circus, Blackpool 1953Fred Davis (ENG) Walter Donaldson (SCO) 37–34 n/a Leicester Square Hall, London 1954Fred Davis (ENG) Walter Donaldson (SCO) 45–26 n/a Houldsworth Hall, Manchester 1955Fred Davis (ENG) John Pulman (ENG) 38–35 n/a Tower Circus, Blackpool 1956Fred Davis (ENG) John Pulman (ENG) 38–35 n/a 1957John Pulman (ENG) Jackie Rea (NIR) 39–34 n/a Jersey Billiards Association Match Room, St Helier, Jersey 1958–1963: No tournament 1964John Pulman (ENG) Fred Davis (ENG) 19–16 1963–64 Burroughes Hall, London 1964John Pulman (ENG) Rex Williams (ENG) 40–33 1964–65 1965John Pulman (ENG) Fred Davis (ENG) 37–36 1964–65 1965John Pulman (ENG) Rex Williams (ENG) 25–22 1965–66 South Africa 1965John Pulman (ENG) Fred Van Rensburg (SAF) 39–12 1965–66 1966John Pulman (ENG) Fred Davis (ENG) 5–2 1965–66 St George's Hall, Liverpool 1968John Pulman (ENG) Eddie Charlton (AUS) 39–34 1967–68 Co-operative Hall, Bolton 1969 John Spencer (ENG) Gary Owen (WAL) 37–24 1968–69 Victoria House, London 1970 Ray Reardon (WAL) John Pulman (ENG) 37–33 1969–70 1971 John Spencer (ENG) Warren Simpson (AUS) 37–29 1970–71 Chevron Hotel, Sydney 1972 Alex Higgins (NIR) John Spencer (ENG) 37–31 1971–72 Selly Park British Legion, Birmingham 1973 Ray Reardon (WAL) Eddie Charlton (AUS) 38–32 1972–73 City Exhibition Hall, Manchester 1974 Ray Reardon (WAL) Graham Miles (ENG) 22–12 1973–74 Belle Vue, Manchester 1975 Ray Reardon (WAL) Eddie Charlton (AUS) 31–30 1974–75 Nunawading Basketball Centre, Melbourne, Australia 1976 Ray Reardon (WAL) Alex Higgins (NIR) 27–16 1975–76 Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester 1977 John Spencer (ENG) Cliff Thorburn (CAN) 25–21 1976–77 Crucible Theatre, Sheffield 1978 Ray Reardon (WAL) Perrie Mans (SAF) 25–18 1977–78 1979 Terry Griffiths (WAL) Dennis Taylor (NIR) 24–16 1978–79 1980 Cliff Thorburn (CAN) Alex Higgins (NIR) 18–16 1979–80 1981 Steve Davis (ENG) Doug Mountjoy (WAL) 18–12 1980–81 1982 Alex Higgins (NIR) Ray Reardon (WAL) 18–15 1981–82 1983 Steve Davis (ENG) Cliff Thorburn (CAN) 18–6 1982–83 1984 Steve Davis (ENG) Jimmy White (ENG) 18–16 1983–84 1985 Dennis Taylor (NIR) Steve Davis (ENG) 18–17 1984–85 1986 Joe Johnson (ENG) Steve Davis (ENG) 18–12 1985–86 1987 Steve Davis (ENG) Joe Johnson (ENG) 18–14 1986–87 1988 Steve Davis (ENG) Terry Griffiths (WAL) 18–11 1987–88 1989 Steve Davis (ENG) John Parrott (ENG) 18–3 1988–89 1990 Stephen Hendry (SCO) Jimmy White (ENG) 18–12 1989–90 1991 John Parrott (ENG) Jimmy White (ENG) 18–11 1990–91 1992 Stephen Hendry (SCO) Jimmy White (ENG) 18–14 1991–92 1993 Stephen Hendry (SCO) Jimmy White (ENG) 18–5 1992–93 1994 Stephen Hendry (SCO) Jimmy White (ENG) 18–17 1993–94 1995 Stephen Hendry (SCO) Nigel Bond (ENG) 18–9 1994–95 1996 Stephen Hendry (SCO) Peter Ebdon (ENG) 18–12 1995–96 1997 Ken Doherty (IRL) Stephen Hendry (SCO) 18–12 1996–97 1998 John Higgins (SCO) Ken Doherty (IRL) 18–12 1997–98 1999 Stephen Hendry (SCO) Mark Williams (WAL) 18–11 1998–99 2000 Mark Williams (WAL) Matthew Stevens (WAL) 18–16 1999–00 2001 Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) John Higgins (SCO) 18–14 2000–01 2002 Peter Ebdon (ENG) Stephen Hendry (SCO) 18–17 2001–02 2003 Mark Williams (WAL) Ken Doherty (IRL) 18–16 2002–03 2004 Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) Graeme Dott (SCO) 18–8 2003–04 2005 Shaun Murphy (ENG) Matthew Stevens (WAL) 18–16 2004–05 2006 Graeme Dott (SCO) Peter Ebdon (ENG) 18–14 2005–06 2007 John Higgins (SCO) Mark Selby (ENG) 18–13 2006–07 2008 Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) Ali Carter (ENG) 18–8 2007–08 2009 John Higgins (SCO) Shaun Murphy (ENG) 18–9 2008–09 2010 Neil Robertson (AUS) Graeme Dott (SCO) 18–13 2009–10 2011 John Higgins (SCO) Judd Trump (ENG) 18–15 2010–11 2012 Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) Ali Carter (ENG) 18–11 2011–12 2013 Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) Barry Hawkins (ENG) 18–12 2012–13 2014 Mark Selby (ENG) Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) 18–14 2013–14 2015 Stuart Bingham (ENG) Shaun Murphy (ENG) 18–15 2014–15 2016 Mark Selby (ENG) Ding Junhui (CHN) 18–14 2015–16 2017 Mark Selby (ENG) John Higgins (SCO) 18–15 2016–17 2018 Mark Williams (WAL) John Higgins (SCO) 18–16 2017–18 2019 Judd Trump (ENG) John Higgins (SCO) 18–9 2018–19 2020 Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) Kyren Wilson (ENG) 18–8 2019–20 2021 Mark Selby (ENG) Shaun Murphy (ENG) 18–15 2020–21 2022 Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) Judd Trump (ENG) 18–13 2021–22 2023 Luca Brecel (BEL) Mark Selby (ENG) 18–15 2022–23 2024 Kyren Wilson (ENG) Jak Jones (WAL) 18–14 2023–24 2025 Zhao Xintong (CHN) Mark Williams (WAL) 18–12 2024–25 20262025–26Joe Davis (1927–40 and 1946)Stephen Hendry (1990, 1992–96 and 1999)Ronnie O'Sullivan (2001, 2004, 2008, 2012–13, 2020 and 2022)Steve Davis (1981, 1983–84 and 1987–89)John Higgins (1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011)Mark Selby (2014, 2016–17 and 2021)Mark Williams (2000, 2003 and 2018)
1927Joe Davis (ENG)Tom Dennis (ENG)20–11n/aCamkin's Hall, Birmingham
1928*Joe Davis (ENG)Fred Lawrence (ENG)16–13n/aCamkin's Hall, Birmingham
1929Joe Davis (ENG)Tom Dennis (ENG)19–14n/aLounge Hall, Nottingham
1930Joe Davis (ENG)Tom Dennis (ENG)25–12n/aThurston's Hall, London
1931Joe Davis (ENG)Tom Dennis (ENG)25–21n/aLounge Hall, Nottingham
1932Joe Davis (ENG)Clark McConachy (NZL)30–19n/aThurston's Hall, London
1933Joe Davis (ENG)Willie Smith (ENG)25–18n/aJoe Davis Centre, Chesterfield
1934Joe Davis (ENG)Tom Newman (ENG)25–22n/aLounge Hall, Nottingham and Central Hall, Kettering
1935Joe Davis (ENG)Willie Smith (ENG)25–20n/aThurston's Hall, London
1936Joe Davis (ENG)Horace Lindrum (AUS)34–27n/a
1937Joe Davis (ENG)Horace Lindrum (AUS)32–29n/a
1938Joe Davis (ENG)Sidney Smith (ENG)37–24n/a
1939Joe Davis (ENG)Sidney Smith (ENG)43–30n/a
1940Joe Davis (ENG)Fred Davis (ENG)37–36n/a
1941–1945: No tournament
1946Joe Davis (ENG)Horace Lindrum (AUS)78–67n/aRoyal Horticultural Hall, London
1947Walter Donaldson (SCO)Fred Davis (ENG)82–63n/aLeicester Square Hall, London
1948Fred Davis (ENG)Walter Donaldson (SCO)84–61n/a
1949Fred Davis (ENG)Walter Donaldson (SCO)80–65n/a
1950Walter Donaldson (SCO)Fred Davis (ENG)51–46n/aTower Circus, Blackpool
1951Fred Davis (ENG)Walter Donaldson (SCO)58–39n/a
1952Horace Lindrum (AUS)Clark McConachy (NZL)94–49n/aHouldsworth Hall, Manchester
1952Fred Davis (ENG)Walter Donaldson (SCO)38–35n/aTower Circus, Blackpool
1953Fred Davis (ENG)Walter Donaldson (SCO)37–34n/aLeicester Square Hall, London
1954Fred Davis (ENG)Walter Donaldson (SCO)45–26n/aHouldsworth Hall, Manchester
1955Fred Davis (ENG)John Pulman (ENG)38–35n/aTower Circus, Blackpool
1956Fred Davis (ENG)John Pulman (ENG)38–35n/a
1957John Pulman (ENG)Jackie Rea (NIR)39–34n/aJersey Billiards Association Match Room, St Helier, Jersey
1958–1963: No tournament
1964John Pulman (ENG)Fred Davis (ENG)19–161963–64Burroughes Hall, London
1964John Pulman (ENG)Rex Williams (ENG)40–331964–65
1965John Pulman (ENG)Fred Davis (ENG)37–361964–65
1965John Pulman (ENG)Rex Williams (ENG)25–221965–66South Africa
1965John Pulman (ENG)Fred Van Rensburg (SAF)39–121965–66
1966John Pulman (ENG)Fred Davis (ENG)5–21965–66St George's Hall, Liverpool
1968John Pulman (ENG)Eddie Charlton (AUS)39–341967–68Co-operative Hall, Bolton
1969John Spencer (ENG)Gary Owen (WAL)37–241968–69Victoria House, London
1970Ray Reardon (WAL)John Pulman (ENG)37–331969–70
1971John Spencer (ENG)Warren Simpson (AUS)37–291970–71Chevron Hotel, Sydney
1972Alex Higgins (NIR)John Spencer (ENG)37–311971–72Selly Park British Legion, Birmingham
1973Ray Reardon (WAL)Eddie Charlton (AUS)38–321972–73City Exhibition Hall, Manchester
1974Ray Reardon (WAL)Graham Miles (ENG)22–121973–74Belle Vue, Manchester
1975Ray Reardon (WAL)Eddie Charlton (AUS)31–301974–75Nunawading Basketball Centre, Melbourne, Australia
1976Ray Reardon (WAL)Alex Higgins (NIR)27–161975–76Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester
1977John Spencer (ENG)Cliff Thorburn (CAN)25–211976–77Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
1978Ray Reardon (WAL)Perrie Mans (SAF)25–181977–78
1979Terry Griffiths (WAL)Dennis Taylor (NIR)24–161978–79
1980Cliff Thorburn (CAN)Alex Higgins (NIR)18–161979–80
1981Steve Davis (ENG)Doug Mountjoy (WAL)18–121980–81
1982Alex Higgins (NIR)Ray Reardon (WAL)18–151981–82
1983Steve Davis (ENG)Cliff Thorburn (CAN)18–61982–83
1984Steve Davis (ENG)Jimmy White (ENG)18–161983–84
1985Dennis Taylor (NIR)Steve Davis (ENG)18–171984–85
1986Joe Johnson (ENG)Steve Davis (ENG)18–121985–86
1987Steve Davis (ENG)Joe Johnson (ENG)18–141986–87
1988Steve Davis (ENG)Terry Griffiths (WAL)18–111987–88
1989Steve Davis (ENG)John Parrott (ENG)18–31988–89
1990Stephen Hendry (SCO)Jimmy White (ENG)18–121989–90
1991John Parrott (ENG)Jimmy White (ENG)18–111990–91
1992Stephen Hendry (SCO)Jimmy White (ENG)18–141991–92
1993Stephen Hendry (SCO)Jimmy White (ENG)18–51992–93
1994Stephen Hendry (SCO)Jimmy White (ENG)18–171993–94
1995Stephen Hendry (SCO)Nigel Bond (ENG)18–91994–95
1996Stephen Hendry (SCO)Peter Ebdon (ENG)18–121995–96
1997Ken Doherty (IRL)Stephen Hendry (SCO)18–121996–97
1998John Higgins (SCO)Ken Doherty (IRL)18–121997–98
1999Stephen Hendry (SCO)Mark Williams (WAL)18–111998–99
2000Mark Williams (WAL)Matthew Stevens (WAL)18–161999–00
2001Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)John Higgins (SCO)18–142000–01
2002Peter Ebdon (ENG)Stephen Hendry (SCO)18–172001–02
2003Mark Williams (WAL)Ken Doherty (IRL)18–162002–03
2004Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)Graeme Dott (SCO)18–82003–04
2005Shaun Murphy (ENG)Matthew Stevens (WAL)18–162004–05
2006Graeme Dott (SCO)Peter Ebdon (ENG)18–142005–06
2007John Higgins (SCO)Mark Selby (ENG)18–132006–07
2008Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)Ali Carter (ENG)18–82007–08
2009John Higgins (SCO)Shaun Murphy (ENG)18–92008–09
2010Neil Robertson (AUS)Graeme Dott (SCO)18–132009–10
2011John Higgins (SCO)Judd Trump (ENG)18–152010–11
2012Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)Ali Carter (ENG)18–112011–12
2013Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)Barry Hawkins (ENG)18–122012–13
2014Mark Selby (ENG)Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)18–142013–14
2015Stuart Bingham (ENG)Shaun Murphy (ENG)18–152014–15
2016Mark Selby (ENG)Ding Junhui (CHN)18–142015–16
2017Mark Selby (ENG)John Higgins (SCO)18–152016–17
2018Mark Williams (WAL)John Higgins (SCO)18–162017–18
2019Judd Trump (ENG)John Higgins (SCO)18–92018–19
2020Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)Kyren Wilson (ENG)18–82019–20
2021Mark Selby (ENG)Shaun Murphy (ENG)18–152020–21
2022Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)Judd Trump (ENG)18–132021–22
2023Luca Brecel (BEL)Mark Selby (ENG)18–152022–23
2024Kyren Wilson (ENG)Jak Jones (WAL)18–142023–24
2025Zhao Xintong (CHN)Mark Williams (WAL)18–122024–25
20262025–26

Multiple champions

Key
Challenge match
*World Professional Match-play Championship
¤Player competed in 2025
Date of death
Multiple-time Snooker World Championship winners
PlayerTotalYearsStatusRef.
Joe Davis (ENG)151927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946†10 July 1978
Fred Davis (ENG)81948, 1949, 1951, 1952*, 1953*, 1954*, 1955*, 1956*†16 April 1998
John Pulman (ENG)1957*, 1964‡, 1964‡, 1965‡, 1965‡, 1965‡, 1966‡, 1968†25 December 1998
Stephen Hendry (SCO)71990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999retired
Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG)2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2022¤
Ray Reardon (WAL)61970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978†19 July 2024
Steve Davis (ENG)1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989retired
John Higgins (SCO)41998, 2007, 2009, 2011¤
Mark Selby (ENG)2014, 2016, 2017, 2021¤
John Spencer (ENG)31969, 1971, 1977†11 July 2006
Mark Williams (WAL)2000, 2003, 2018¤
Walter Donaldson (SCO)21947, 1950†24 May 1973
Alex Higgins (NIR)1972, 1982†24 July 2010

Notes