World Championship 2023

The 2023 World Snooker Championship (officially the 2023 Cazoo World Snooker Championship) was a professional snooker tournament that took place from 15 April to 1 May 2023 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, the 47th consecutive year that the World Snooker Championship was staged at the venue. The qualifying rounds took place from 3 to 12 April 2023 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. The 15th and final ranking tournament of the 2022–23 snooker season, it was organised by the World Snooker Tour and sponsored for the first time by car retailer Cazoo. It was broadcast in the United Kingdom by the BBC, in Europe by Eurosport, and elsewhere in the world by Matchroom Sport and other broadcasters. The total prize fund was £2,395,000, of which the winner received £500,000.

Ronnie O'Sullivan was the defending champion, having defeated Judd Trump 18–13 in the 2022 final. He made a record 31st Crucible appearance, surpassing the 30 appearances by Steve Davis, and reached a record-extending 21st quarter-final—also becoming the first player to compete in 100 matches at the Crucible—but lost 10–13 to Belgian player Luca Brecel. Crucible debutants at the event were Fan Zhengyi, Jak Jones, Pang Junxu, Si Jiahui, and Wu Yize. Si, aged 20, became the first debutant to reach the semi-finals since Andy Hicks at the 1995 event and the youngest player to do so since O'Sullivan at the 1996 event. Brecel came from 5–14 behind in the semi-finals to defeat Si 17–15, the first time a player had won a match at the Crucible after trailing by nine frames. Brecel went on to defeat Mark Selby 18–15 in the final, winning his first world title, first Triple Crown title, and fourth ranking title. He became the sport's first world champion from mainland Europe.

The event's main stage produced 90 century breaks. For the second time, after the 2008 event, two maximum breaks occurred at the main stage of the tournament: Kyren Wilson made a maximum in his first-round match against Ryan Day, and Selby became the first player to make a maximum in a World Championship final. O'Sullivan made both his 1,200th century in professional competition and his 200th Crucible century at the event. The qualifying rounds produced another 135 centuries, including a 115 break by Ng On-yee, the highest by a woman in the tournament's history.

The World Championship 2023 is the most prestigious snooker tournament in the world, bringing together the finest players from across the globe. Held annually, this tournament is the pinnacle of snooker excellence, showcasing the highest level of skill, precision, and strategy.

The tournament takes place in a grand venue, specially designed to create an electrifying atmosphere for both players and spectators. The World Championship 2023 promises to be a spectacle of sporting brilliance, with its state-of-the-art facilities and captivating ambiance.

The tournament features a knockout format, where players compete in a series of matches to progress through the rounds. The world's top-ranked players, as well as rising stars, battle it out on the green baize, displaying their mastery of the cue and their ability to pot balls with finesse.

The World Championship 2023 offers a substantial prize pool, attracting the best players in the sport. The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable as each player strives to claim the coveted title of World Champion. The tournament is a true test of mental fortitude, as players must maintain their focus and composure under immense pressure.

Snooker enthusiasts from around the world flock to witness this prestigious event, creating an electric atmosphere that reverberates throughout the venue. The crowd's cheers and gasps of amazement add to the drama, making every shot and every frame a thrilling experience.

The World Championship 2023 is not only a celebration of snooker but also a platform for players to etch their names in the annals of the sport's history. It is a tournament that showcases the beauty and complexity of snooker, captivating fans and inspiring future generations of players.

Whether you are a die-hard snooker fan or a casual observer, the World Championship 2023 promises to be an unforgettable experience. Prepare to witness the world's best players battle it out for glory, as they showcase their skills, determination, and passion for the game.