Published
Ronnie O'Sullivan will bid for a record eighth World Championship title at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
World number one O'Sullivan, 48, beat Judd Trump in 2022 to match Stephen Hendry's record of seven world titles but lost in the quarter-finals last year to eventual winner Luca Brecel.
Former champions Judd Trump, Mark Williams and Mark Selby are also among the favourites.
The championship takes place from 20 April to 6 May and is live on the BBC.
When does Ronnie O'Sullivan play?
World champion Brecel will get the defence of his title under way against David Gilbert at 10:00 BST on Saturday, 20 April.
Trump also starts his challenge on the opening day, taking on Iranian qualifier Hossein Vafaei in the 14:30 session.
Seven-time champion O'Sullivan begins his campaign against Wales' Jackson Page on Wednesday, 24 April.
If matches go according to their seedings, O'Sullivan would face Barry Hawkins in the second round, Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals and Trump in the semi-finals.
Brecel and Mark Allen are seeded to meet in the semi-final.
Who are the Crucible seeds?
1. Luca Brecel, 2. Ronnie O'Sullivan, 3. Judd Trump, 4. Mark Allen, 5. Mark Selby, 6. Mark Williams, 7. Ding Junhui, 8. Shaun Murphy
9. Ali Carter, 10. Gary Wilson, 11. Zhang Anda, 12. Kyren Wilson, 13. John Higgins, 14. Tom Ford, 15. Barry Hawkins, 16. Robert Milkins
Who came through qualifying?
England's world number 17 Jack Lisowski and Wales' Ryan Day were among the 16 qualifiers to secure places at the Crucible.
Former champion Stuart Bingham also made it through but Australia's 2010 world champion Neil Robertson misses the World Championship for the first time in 20 years after losing 10-9 to Wales' Jamie Jones.
Thailand's Noppon Saengkham hit a maximum 147 break in the third round of qualifying but lost 10-9 to Jackson Page in the final round.
Saengkham secured a £10,000 bonus for his 147 and is in contention for the World Championship highest break prize of £15,000.
How much prize money is on offer?
The winner will receive £500,000.
For the runner-up, there is the consolation of £200,000.
Semi-finalists earn £100,000 and quarter-finalists £50,000.
Players knocked out in the first round collect £20,000, while £30,00 goes to players beaten in the last 16.
Crucible 147 maximum breaks
Any player scoring a 147 maximum break at the Crucible will earn £40,000.
The highest break - currently Saengkham's 147 - comes with the reward of £15,000. If more than one player makes a 147, then the prize money will be shared equally.
Only 14 maximums have been made at the Crucible.
Last year, Kyren Wilson made one in the opening round and Mark Selby became the first player to make a 147 in a world final.
O'Sullivan and Hendry have made three 147s, with Cliff Thorburn, Jimmy White, Mark Williams, Ali Carter, John Higgins and Robertson the only others to have achieved the feat.
What is the tournament format?
First round - best of 19 frames played over two sessions
Second round and quarter-finals - best of 25 frames played over three sessions
Semi-finals - best of 33 frames over four sessions.
Final - best of 35 frames over four sessions on 5 and 6 May.
How to watch live on the BBC
You can watch live on BBC TV or follow uninterrupted coverage from your choice of match on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.
There will also be highlights on BBC Two in the evenings.
The BBC Sport website and mobile app will have live text coverage every day of selected matches, plus reports and latest scores, and there will also be updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.
Match schedule and BBC coverage times
All times are BST. Coverage can be subject to late schedule changes, so details may differ from this page.
Saturday, 20 April
First round (best of 19)
10:00
Match 1: Luca Brecel v David Gilbert
Match 11: Zhang Anda v Jak Jones
14:30
Match 3: Ali Carter v Stephen Maguire
Match 9: Judd Trump v Hossein Vafaei
19:00
Match 1: Luca Brecel v David Gilbert
Match 10: Tom Ford v Ricky Walden
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:00 - BBC Two
13:45-16:30 - BBC One (from 15:00 in Scotland)
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Sunday, 21 April
First round (best of 19)
10:00
Match 5: Mark Selby v Joe O'Connor
Match 11: Zhang Anda v Jak Jones
14:30
Match 4: Shaun Murphy v Lyu Haotian
Match 9: Judd Trump v Hossein Vafaei
19:00
Match 3: Ali Carter v Stephen Maguire
Match 10: Tom Ford v Ricky Walden
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:25 - BBC Two (from 10:30 in Wales)
15:00-18:00 - BBC Two (not available in Wales or Northern Ireland)
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Monday, 22 April
First round (best of 19)
10:00
Match 4: Shaun Murphy v Lyu Haotian
Match 14: Gary Wilson v Stuart Bingham
14:30
Match 5: Mark Selby v Joe O'Connor
Match 12: Mark Williams v Si Jiahui
19:00
Match 2: Robert Milkins v Pang Junxu
Match 14: Gary Wilson v Stuart Bingham
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:15 - BBC Two
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two (unavailable in Northern Ireland)
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Tuesday, 23 April
10:00
Match 6: Kyren Wilson v Dominic Dale
Match 13: Ding Junhui v Jack Lisowski
14:30
Match 8: Mark Allen v Robbie Williams
Match 12: Mark Williams v Si Jiahui
19:00
Match 2: Robert Milkins v Pang Junxu
Match 15: Barry Hawkins v Ryan Day
First round (best of 19)
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:15 - BBC Two
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two (unavailable in Wales)
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Wednesday, 24 April
First round (best of 19)
10:00
Match 6: Kyren Wilson v Dominic Dale
Match 13: Ding Junhui v Jack Lisowski
14:30
Match 8: Mark Allen v Robbie Williams
Match 16: Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jackson Page
19:00
Match 7: John Higgins v Jamie Jones
Match 15: Barry Hawkins v Ryan Day
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-11:15 - BBC Two
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
00:15-01:05 - BBC Two
01:05-03:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Thursday, 25 April
First round (best of 19 frames)
13:00
Match 16: Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jackson Page
19:00
Match 7: John Higgins v Jamie Jones
Second round (best of 25 frames)
13:00
Match 17: (1) Luca Brecel/David Gilbert v (16) Robert Milkins/Pang Junxu
19:00
Match 21: (3) Judd Trump/Hossein Vafaei v (14) Tom Ford/Ricky Walden
Live coverage
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two (starts 00:15 in Northern Ireland)
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two (starts 01:05 in Northern Ireland)
Friday, 26 April
Second round (best of 25)
10:00
Match 17: (1) Luca Brecel/David Gilbert v (16) Robert Milkins/Pang Junxu
Match 22: 11) Zhang Anda/Jak Jones v (6) Mark Williams/Si Jiahui
14:30
Match 18: (9) Ali Carter/Stephen Maguire v (8) Shaun Murphy/Lyu Haotian
Match 21: (3) Judd Trump/Hossein Vafaei v (14) Tom Ford/Ricky Walden
19:00
Match 17: (1) Luca Brecel/David Gilbert v (16) Robert Milkins/Pang Junxu
Match 22: 11) Zhang Anda/Jak Jones v (6) Mark Williams/Si Jiahui
Live coverage
10:00-12:00 - BBC Two
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two (unavailable in Wales)
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Saturday, 27 April
Second round (best of 25)
10:00
Match 18: (9) Ali Carter/Stephen Maguire v (8) Shaun Murphy/Lyu Haotian
Match 21: (3) Judd Trump/Hossein Vafaei v (14) Tom Ford/Ricky Walden
14:30
Match 20: (13) John Higgins/Jamie Jones v (4) Mark Allen/Robbie Williams
Match 22: 11) Zhang Anda/Jak Jones v (6) Mark Williams/Si Jiahui
19:00
Match 19: (5) Mark Selby/Joe O'Connor v (12) Kyren Wilson/Dominic Dale
Match 23: (7) Ding Junhui/Jack Lisowski v (10) Gary Wilson/Stuart Bingham
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:00 - BBC Two
13:15-16:00 - BBC One
19:00-20:00 - BBC Two
20:00-22:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Sunday, 28 April
Second round (best of 25)
10:00
Match 18: (9) Ali Carter/Stephen Maguire v (8) Shaun Murphy/Lyu Haotian
Match 24: (15) Barry Hawkins/Ryan Day v (2) Ronnie O'Sullivan/Jackson Page
14:30
Match 20: (13) John Higgins/Jamie Jones v (4) Mark Allen/Robbie Williams
Match 23: (7) Ding Junhui/Jack Lisowski v (10) Gary Wilson/Stuart Bingham
19:00
Match 19: (5) Mark Selby/Joe O'Connor v (12) Kyren Wilson/Dominic Dale
Match 24: (15) Barry Hawkins/Ryan Day v (2) Ronnie O'Sullivan/Jackson Page
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:00 - BBC Two
14:35-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-20:00 - BBC Two
20:00-22:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Monday, 29 April
Second round (best of 25)
13:00
Match 19: (5) Mark Selby/Joe O'Connor v (12) Kyren Wilson/Dominic Dale
Match 24: (15) Barry Hawkins/Ryan Day v (2) Ronnie O'Sullivan/Jackson Page
19:00
Match 20: (13) John Higgins/Jamie Jones v (4) Mark Allen/Robbie Williams
Match 23: (7) Ding Junhui/Jack Lisowski v (10) Gary Wilson/Stuart Bingham
Live coverage
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-20:00 - BBC Two
20:00-22:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
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
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:15 - BBC Two
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-20:00 - BBC Two
20:00-22:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
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
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-11:15 - BBC Two
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-20:00 - BBC Two
20:00-22:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - Highlights - BBC Two
00:05-02:05 - World Championship Extra - BBC Two
Thursday, 2 May
Semi-finals (best of 33)
Live coverage
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
13:00-16:15 - BBC Two
19:00-20:00 - BBC Two
20:00-22:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two
Friday, 3 May
Semi-finals (best of 33)
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:15 - BBC Two
13:45-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Two
21:00-22:00 - BBC Four
Highlights
23:15-00:05 - BBC Two
Saturday, 4 May
Semi-finals (best of 33)
Live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-12:00 - BBC Two
13:15-16:30 - BBC One
16:30-17:30 - BBC Two
19:00-22:00 - BBC Two
Sunday, 5 May
Final (best of 35)
Live coverage
13:00-16:15 - BBC Two
19:00-23:00 - BBC Two
Coverage also available on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
Monday, 6 May
Final (best of 35)
Live coverage
13:00-16:15 - BBC Two
19:00-23:00 - BBC Two
Coverage also available on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
Related Topics
- Snooker
O'Sullivan wins record-equalling seventh world title
Published
2 May 2022
