2023 WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP

Snooker fans up and down the country will already have the 2023 World Snooker Championship marked on their calendar - and there is not long to wait at all.

This is a professional snooker tournament, which is set to invade The Crucible Theatre, in Sheffield, from Saturday, April 15 through to Wednesday, May 1.

Sponsored by Cazoo, this promises to be two weeks of pure sporting action, and will mark the 47th consecutive year that the World Snooker Championship has been held at the Sheffield venue.

The World Snooker Championships completes the highly esteemed Triple Crown Series, alongside the Masters and the UK Championships, which are held in January and November, respectively.

The victor of the Sheffield event will take away the distinctive World Championship trophy, which has been in use since all the way back in 1926 and is topped by an iconic Greek shepherdess figurine.

While being one of the sport’s longest running events, this is also one of the most lucrative, with the total prize money for the 2021 reportedly topping almost £2.4 million.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?

Englishman Ronnie O’Sullivan will be looking to defend his title this year, after defeating 2019 champion Judd Trump 18-13 in the 2022 final.

Victory in 2022 also marked O’Sullivan’s seventh title in the competition, which is the joint most gongs in the modern era, alongside Scotland’s Stephen Hendry.

WHO ARE THE BOOKIES BACKING TO PERFORM WELL?

Four players are currently leading the way in terms of the bookies’ favourites. At the top spot, which most people would agree with, is returning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan at 9/2, while Judd Trump features at 5/1, Neil Robertson at 13/2 and Mark Selby at 15/2.

However, the wonder of this tournament is that less fancied participants regularly have the chance to shine on the big stage and make a name for themselves.

HOW WILL THE VICTOR BE DECIDED?

The World Snooker Championship marks the final ranking event of the 20222023 snooker season, which has so far seen competitions held in Germany,

This promises to be two weeks of pure sporting action, and will mark the 47th consecutive year that the World Snooker Championship has been held at the Sheffield venue

Everything you need to know about one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the sport’s calendar

Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Thailand and England. A qualifying tournament will be held earlier in April to decide on featuring players for the Sheffield event and will be played as a best-of-19 format, with the seeded draws still in place.

In total, 32 players will reach The Crucible this year to take part in the knockout stages, including the top 16 players in the world rankings, who automatically qualify, joined by a further 16 who gain entry through the qualification tournament.

Only three previous victors have come through the qualifying process, with the last being Shaun Murphy in 2005.

WHAT IS THE VENUE LIKE FOR SPECTATORS?

Spectators will be able to watch the various stages of the tournament from within The Crucible Theatre’s small, three-sided arena. This has been designed to ensure nobody in the whole site is ever more than 20 metres from the thrilling action.

How You Can Watch

Many tickets have already sold out for the later stages of the competition, including the final and most of the semi-finals.

However, there are a select few tickets remaining for the quarter final stages and the opening two rounds.

For those looking for an even comfier experience at The Crucible, then there are VIP and premium packages available , which include a number of bonuses, such as prime view seating in allocated rows, programmes, refreshments and a three-course meal within the Sheffield venue’s own restaurant.

If you are unable to attend the venue to take in a game or two, then do not fear as the BBC will be broadcasting the goings-on of the tournament across the globe to ensure nobody misses out.

Even More Snooker A Ction To Follow

Those who enjoy the occasion at Sheffield’s The Crucible will not have to wait too much longer for yet another hotly contested snooker competition.

The World Seniors Snooker Tour will return to the venue following the World Snooker Championships. This is set to take place from Wednesday, May 3 until Sunday, May 7. Last year saw Lee Walker crowned as the World Championship in this competition, following a blood-pumping final against Jimmy White, with this year’s competition already shaping up to field an impressive field of players.

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