2024 World Snooker Championship: Schedule, Dates, Format, Prize Money, and Tickets

The highly anticipated 2024 World Snooker Championship, officially known as the 2024 Cazoo World Snooker Championship, is just around the corner. Scheduled to commence from April 20th to May 6th, 2024, this prestigious professional snooker tournament will once again grace the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.

This year marks the 48th consecutive year that the World Snooker Championship will be hosted at this historic venue, promising fans, and players alike a thrilling display of skill and competition. With its rich legacy and tradition, the Crucible Theatre serves as the perfect backdrop for the intense battles and memorable moments that define the pinnacle of snooker excellence.

Image credit: WST

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's iconic Crucible Theatre, all eyes are on the contenders vying for snooker glory. Leading the pack is none other than world number one, Ronnie O'Sullivan. At 48-years-old, O'Sullivan is poised to make history once again as he seeks to claim an unprecedented eighth world title. Having already matched Stephen Hendry's record of seven championships with a stunning victory over Judd Trump in 2022, O'Sullivan remains a formidable force on the green baize.

However, O'Sullivan faces stiff competition, as evidenced by his quarter-final defeat last year to eventual champion Luca Brecel. Among the challengers is former champion Judd Trump, whose exceptional skills and fierce determination make him a perennial threat in any tournament. With a burning desire to reclaim the title, Trump is sure to bring his A-game to the Crucible.

Another contender to watch is Mark Williams, a seasoned veteran who knows what it takes to lift the coveted trophy. With multiple world titles to his name, Williams possesses the experience and composure needed to excel under pressure on snooker's grandest stage.

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The World Snooker Championship 2024 not only offers prestige and glory to its victors but also substantial financial rewards. With a total prize pool of £2.4 million, players have ample incentive to perform at their best throughout the tournament.

Winner's Prize: £500,000
The ultimate champion of the championship will take home a staggering half a million pounds, a testament to their skill and resilience on the snooker table.

Runner-up Prize: £200,000
While falling short of the title, the runner-up will still receive a significant consolation prize of £200,000, reflecting their impressive journey to the final.

Semi-finalists' Reward: £100,000 Each
The semi-finalists will earn £100,000 each for their impressive performance, showcasing their talent and determination in reaching the latter stages of the championship.

Quarter-finalists' Prize: £50,000 Each
Players reaching the quarterfinals will be awarded £50,000 each, recognising their commendable efforts and skill in advancing deep into the tournament.

Last 16 Elimination: £30,000
Those who bow out in the last 16 will still walk away with £30,000, underscoring the competitiveness and level of play exhibited throughout the championship.

First Round Exit: £20,000
Even players exiting in the first round will receive a significant prize of £20,000, acknowledging their participation and contribution to the event.

The World Snooker Championship 2024 follows a rigorous and captivating format designed to test the skill and endurance of its participants across various rounds. Here's a breakdown of the format for each stage of the championship:

First Round: Players compete in a best-of-19 frames format, spread over two sessions, ensuring a comprehensive examination of their abilities in the early stages of the tournament.

Second Round and Quarterfinals: The intensity ramps up as matches are extended to a best-of-25 frames format, played over three sessions. This extended format allows for strategic play and dramatic turnarounds as players vie for advancement to the later stages.

Semi-finals: As the championship progresses, the stakes get higher with matches extended to a best-of-33 frames format, spanning four sessions. With each frame crucial to securing victory, players must showcase their mental resilience and tactical acumen to secure a coveted spot in the final.

Final: The pinnacle of the championship culminates in the ultimate showdown, played in a best-of-35 frames format over four sessions held on May 5th and 6th. As tension reaches its peak, the finalists battle it out for supremacy, with every frame carrying monumental significance in determining the eventual champion.

Seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan kicks off his World Snooker Championship 2024 campaign on April 24th. If matches proceed as expected, he could face Barry Hawkins in the second round and Ding Junhui in the quarterfinals. A potential semi-final clash awaits with Judd Trump, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown.

Furthermore, a potential final matchup looms with either reigning champion Luca Brecel or Northern Ireland's top player, Mark Allen. O'Sullivan's journey promises gripping matches and intense competition as he vies for another title at the Crucible Theatre.

Image credit: WST

Below is the full tournament schedule for the World Snooker Championship 2024; however, it's important to acknowledge that scheduling changes may occur late in the tournament, so specific details are subject to possible alterations. All match timings are BST. 

Saturday, 20 April

First round (best of 19)

Match schedule announced so far.

10:00

Match 1: Luca Brecel v qualifier

Match 11: Zhang Anda v qualifier

14:30

Match 3: Ali Carter v qualifier

Match 9: Judd Trump v qualifier

19:00

Match 1: Luca Brecel v qualifier

Match 10: Tom Ford v qualifier

Sunday, 21 April

First round (best of 19)

Match schedule announced so far.

10:00

Match 5: Mark Selby v qualifier

Match 11: Zhang Anda v qualifier

14:30

Match 4: Shaun Murphy v qualifier

Match 9: Judd Trump v qualifier

19:00

Match 3: Ali Carter v qualifier

Match 10: Tom Ford v qualifier

Monday, 22 April

First round (best of 19)

Match schedule announced so far.

10:00

Match 4: Shaun Murphy v qualifier

Match 14: Gary Wilson v qualifier

14:30

Match 5: Mark Selby v qualifier

Match 12: Mark Williams v qualifier

19:00

Match 2: Robert Milkins v qualifier

Match 14: Gary Wilson v qualifier

Tuesday, 23 April

First round (best of 19)

Match schedule announced so far.

10:00

Match 6: Kyren Wilson v qualifier

Match 13: Ding Junhui v qualifier

14:30

Match 8: Mark Allen v qualifier

Match 12: Mark Williams v qualifier

19:00

Match 2: Robert Milkins v qualifier

Match 15: Barry Hawkins v qualifier

Wednesday, 24 April

First round (best of 19)

Match schedule announced so far.

10:00

Match 6: Kyren Wilson v qualifier

Match 13: Ding Junhui v qualifier

14:30

Match 8: Mark Allen v qualifier

Match 16: Ronnie O'Sullivan v qualifier

19:00

Match 7: John Higgins v qualifier

Match 15: Barry Hawkins v qualifier

Thursday, 25 April

First round (best of 19 frames)

Match schedule announced so far. 

13:00

Match 16: Ronnie O'Sullivan v qualifier

19:00

Match 7: John Higgins v qualifier

Second round (best of 25 frames)

13:00

Match 17: Winner of match 1 v Winner of match 2

19:00

Match 21: Winner of match 9 v Winner of match 10

Friday, 26 April

Second round (best of 25)

10:00

Match 17: Winner of match 1 v Winner of match 2

Match 22: Winner of match 11 v Winner of match 12

14:30

Match 18: Winner of match 3 v Winner of match 4

Match 21: Winner of match 9 v Winner of match 10

19:00

Match 17: Winner of match 1 v Winner of match 2

Match 22: Winner of match 11 v Winner of match 12

Saturday, 27 April

Second round (best of 25)

10:00

Match 18: Winner of match 3 v Winner of match 4

Match 21: Winner of match 9 v Winner of match 10

14:30

Match 20: Winner of match 7 v Winner of match 8

Match 22: Winner of match 11 v Winner of match 12

19:00

Match 19: Winner of match 5 v Winner of match 6

Match 23: Winner of match 13 v Winner of match 4

Sunday, 28 April

Second round (best of 25)

10:00

Match 18: Winner of match 3 v Winner of match 4

Match 24: Winner of match 15 v Winner of match 16

14:30

Match 20: Winner of match 7 v Winner of match 8

Match 23: Winner of match 13 v Winner of match 14

19:00

Match 19: Winner of match 5 v Winner of match 6

Match 24: Winner of match 15 v Winner of match 16

Monday, 29 April

Second round (best of 25)

13:00

Match 19: Winner of match 5 v Winner of match 6

Match 24: Winner of match 15 v Winner of match 16

19:00

Match 20: Winner of match 7 v Winner of match 8

Match 23: Winner of match 13 v Winner of match 14

Tuesday, 30 April

Quarter-finals (best of 25)

10:00

Match 25: Winner of match 17 v Winner of match 18

Match 27: Winner of match 21 v Winner of match 22

14:30

Match 26: Winner of match 19 v Winner of match 20

Match 28: Winner of match 23 v Winner of match 24

19:00

Match 25: Winner of match 17 v Winner of match 18

Match 27: Winner of match 21 v Winner of match 22

Wednesday, 1 May

Quarter-finals (best of 25)

10:00

Match 26: Winner of match 19 v Winner of match 20

Match 27: Winner of match 21 v Winner of match 22

14:30

Match 25: Winner of match 17 v Winner of match 18

Match 28: Winner of match 23 v Winner of match 24

19:00

Match 26: Winner of match 19 v Winner of match 20

Match 28: Winner of match 23 v Winner of match 24

Thursday, 2 May

Semi-finals (best of 33)

13:00

Semi-final 1

19:00

Semi-final 2

Friday, 3 May

Semi-finals (best of 33)

10:00

Semi-final 1

14:30

Semi-final 2

19:00

Semi-final 1

Saturday, 4 May

Semi-finals (best of 33)

10:00 

Semi-final 2

14:30

Semi-final 1

19:00 

Semi-final 2

Sunday, 5 May

Final (best of 35)

13:00

Final: session 1

19:00

Final: session 2

Monday, 6 May

Final (best of 35)

13:00 

Final: session 3

19:00

Final: session 4