2026 World Snooker Championship: Zhao Xintong v Ding Junhui could break TV viewing records

Last year, Zhao went through four rounds of qualifying and then beat 2024 runner-up Jak Jones, compatriot Lei Peifan and England’s Chris Wakelin before reaching the final, where he beat seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan 17-7.

Zhao’s 18-12 victory over Mark Williams was a pivotal moment in the sport; It instantly made the winner a national hero and inspired young people to take up snooker.

According to World Snooker Tour figures, more than 24.5 million unique viewers watched the third session of the final in China alone, with a cumulative audience of 180 million on national broadcaster CCTV5 for the entire 2025 tournament.

The event also reached 1.5 billion social media views in China over 17 days.

“When I go to China, I become famous, and many people want to take my photo when I walk on the street,” said Zhao, 29. “It’s great and it’s a big difference from before but I’m really happy to do it and I’m trying to be a great player.

“Previously, older people would want to take my photo because they were snooker fans, but now it’s their sons or daughters who take photos, and I’m really happy about that.”

If Zhao wants to defend his title, he has to do something none of the previous 20 first-time Crucible winners have done: win it again the following year.

However, Zhao showed no signs of falling into what has been dubbed the ‘Curse of the Crucible’ in his first round match in the English qualifiers, where he defeated Liam Highfield 10-7.

Speaking to BBC Television before the tournament started, seven-time winner Stephen Hendry said Zhao was his favorite to lift the trophy on Monday (May 4).

“I think Xintong can defend their title,” Hendry said. “He is the future of the game for the next 10-15 years, he will dominate, no one will score goals like him.

“This fool pays no attention to the ‘curse’. The other Chinese players were delighted to see their compatriots lift the cup.”