TNT Sports
World Snooker Championship 2021 - Draw, Schedule, Results, order of play at the Crucible
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Published 26/02/2021 at 17:14 GMT
Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to defend his title at the World Snooker Championship, which is due to kick off on April 17 at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson will be the other men gunning for glory for the most prestigious trophy in snooker. You can watch every match of the World Championship live and ad-free on the Eurosport App and eurosport.co.uk.
Eurosport
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Scene Setter
There's plenty at stake in the 2021 edition of the World Snooker Championship, which comes just eight months after the 2020 tournament took place thanks to its postponement due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When Ronnie O'Sullivan defeated Kyren Wilson back in the summer, he lifted the world title for the sixth time and drew level with Steve Davis and Ray Reardon in the pecking order. A further triumph would see him equal Stephen Hendry's record tally of seven.
But the Rocket will have plenty of competition at the Crucible in April. Judd Trump is the bookies' favourite to win what would be his second title ahead of the 45-year-old in second. Mark Selby is third, followed by Neil Robertson then Kyren Wilson.
The World Championship is the second of snooker's Triple Crowns in 2021, with Yan Bingtao sensationally winning the Masters to announce himself to the world back in January.
The return to the Crucible will be hugely welcome after months of almost uninterrupted play in Milton Keynes, but unlike last year, no crowds will be present this time around unless the government selects it as a test event.
What is the format?
There were 128 players vying to qualify at the nearby English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. That group was whittled down to just 16 across a week, where they joined the 16 top players in the snooker rankings in the draw for the first round. As defending champion, O'Sullivan was the only man with his spot guaranteed before a ball was hit in the 2020-21 season.
The first round is best of 19 frames, the second and quarter-final rounds best of 25. The semi-finals are best of 33 and the final best of 35.
What is the draw for the World Championship first round?
Head here for all the scores from qualifying.
How to watch the event
You can watch every match of the World Championship live and ad-free on the Eurosport App and eurosport.co.uk. Download the Eurosport app now for iOS and Android.
Schedule and dates
First round (best of 19 frames - upcoming session times in brackets)
Second round (best of 25 frames - upcoming session times in brackets)
April 27-28
April 29-May 1
May 2-3
Matches to be scheduled
Prize Money
TBC.
Previous Winners
The World Championship has been running since 1927 and, prior to its move to the Crucible in 1977, it was dominated by Joe Davis, Walter Donaldson, Fred Davis, John Pulman, John Spencer and Ray Reardon, with Alex Higgins and Horace Lundrum winning it once apiece. Since the move to Sheffield, the winners are:
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