The World Snooker Championship, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the sport, offers a winner's cheque that surpasses all other tournaments. This year, the champion will receive £500,000, a prize that will be claimed on Monday by either Shaun Murphy or Wu Yize. The player who first reaches 18 frames will not only secure the jackpot but also the prestigious title of world champion.
Comparison with Other Tournaments
The Saudi Arabia Masters, which was held in 2024 and 2025, also awarded a £500,000 top prize. However, it was announced last month that the tournament has been cancelled indefinitely. The current prize money is a far cry from the first World Championship at the Crucible in 1977, where John Spencer won just £6,000.
Prize Money Breakdown
The winner of the 2026 championship will take home £500,000, while the runner-up receives £200,000. Semi-finalists earn £100,000 each, quarter-finalists get £50,000, those in the last 16 receive £30,000, and players in the last 32 are awarded £20,000. The total prize fund, including qualifying rounds, stands at £2,395,000. Additionally, the player with the highest break will receive £15,000.
Bonus for a 147 Maximum Break
Any player who compiles a 147 maximum break at the Crucible this year will earn a £40,000 bonus. Since the World Championship moved to Sheffield in 1977, only 15 maximums have been achieved, making it a rare accomplishment. Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry lead the list with three each, while Mark Selby's 2023 maximum remains the only one in a Crucible final. Mark Allen added his name to the list last year with a maximum in his second-round match against Chris Wakelin.
In qualifying for the 2025 championship, Jackson Page made snooker history by becoming the first player to make two maximum breaks in the same match, during a 10-2 win over Allan Taylor. However, he failed to reach the main draw after a 10-7 defeat to Joe O'Connor.
Prize Funds for Other Majors
The UK Championship offers a winner's prize of £312,500, with a total fund of £1,500,000. The Masters awards £350,000 to the champion, with a total prize pool of £1,015,000.
