The 2026 World Snooker Championship live streams represent the end of the 2025/26 snooker season and the world’s best players will once again descend on Sheffield’s iconic Crucible Theater to win the biggest felt prize.
Chief among those hoping the curse will live up to its promises will be Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan. Trump, the 2019 winner, has been consistent all season, while the Rocket are aiming for a record eighth world title to overtake the great Stephen Hendry, but have only played occasionally all season.
Other members of the Class of ’92, including O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams, will also be looking to expand their knowledge. If the latter wins his first round match, he will face O’Sullivan in the round of 16. Fellow Welshman Matthew Stevens, a former finalist, qualified.
This will be the BBC’s first tournament since the death of legendary commentator John Virgo, so expect plenty of eulogies and questions such as “where does the cue ball go?” “.
Snooker Loopy, we’re crazy – here’s where to go watch live streams of the 2026 World Snooker Championships online from anywhere.
Can I watch the 2026 World Snooker Championships for free?
Yes. The BBC is providing comprehensive live coverage of the 2026 World Snooker Championships in the UK, with live action shared between BBC One, Two and Four channels, as well as the BBC Sport website.
This means you will be able to watch snooker live online and follow the latest news. BBC iPlayer streaming service – completely free to watch on laptops, mobile devices and TV streaming devices for anyone with a valid TV license.
If you’re not in the UK when the game launches, remember you can use a VPN to access the stream as if you were at home. More on this below.
Use a VPN to watch any stream of the 2026 World Snooker Championship
How to watch 2026 World Snooker Championship streams in the United States
Snooker fans in the United States will need a subscription to WST reading in order to watch the 2026 World Snooker Championship.
It costs £7 per month or £70 per year, which is around US$9.50 and US$95.
If you’re traveling to the United States but want to watch coverage of the World Snooker Championships at home, you’ll need to download a VPN.
How to watch 2026 World Snooker Championship live streams in the UK
Live streams of the 2025 UK Snooker Championship will be broadcast by BBC iPlayer And TNT Sports in the United Kingdom.
As we’ve already mentioned, BBC iPlayer and public broadcaster TV channels offer a free service, but there is also a paid option. If you prefer Jimmy White and Alan McManus providing the analysis to Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Dennis Taylor on the Beeb, then you’re in luck as the former duos are part of TNT Sports’ enhanced coverage.
Subscriptions can be accessed by adding the sports package to your EE, BT or Sky broadband deal costing £16 per month. Or for streaming on the go, fans can pay from £25.99/month for HBO Maxwhich includes TNT Sports.
Traveling far from the UK today? Use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer or HBO Max from abroad when you’re away from home.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 World Snooker Championship in Australia
In Australia, snooker fans will need a subscription to WST reading in order to watch the 2026 World Snooker Championship.
It costs £7 a month or £70 a year, which is around AU$13.30 and AU$132.88.
If you’re traveling away from home but want to watch regular coverage of the Snooker World Championships, you’ll need to download a VPN.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 World Snooker Championship in Canada
It’s a similar situation in Canada, where snooker fans will need a subscription to WST reading in order to watch the 2026 world championships.
It costs £7 per month or £70 per year, which is around CAN$13 and CAN$130.
If you’re traveling away from home but want to watch your usual snooker coverage, you’ll need to download a VPN.
How to watch 2026 World Snooker Championship live streams in the rest of the world
Click to see RoW feeds ▼
If you’re in China, it looks like you can stream the 2026 World Snooker Championship on WeChat for free. Here’s a complete look at where to watch the action around the world…
China
CCTV5
Huya.com
Migu
ASFC-WPBSA Academy WeChat Channel
ASFC-WPBSA Douyin Academy
Hong Kong China
Now the TV
Malaysia and Brunei
Astro Supersport
Taiwan
Sports show
Thailand
Pure sport
Philippines
TAP Sports
Continental Europe
HBO Max
All other territories
Subscribe to WST Play for live streams and on-demand replays of the latest British Championship matches.
2026 World Snooker Championship — What you need to know
What is the format of the 2026 World Snooker Championship?
After four qualifying rounds, the 16 qualifiers and the 16 seeds will meet in the last 32 rounds in the best of 19 frames. It’s the first one at 10 o’clock.
After that, the last 16 and quarter-finals are played to the best of 25 frames (first to 13), the semi-finals are played to the best of 33 (first to 17), and the final is played to the best of 35 (first to 18).
What is the schedule for the 2026 World Snooker Championship?
From Saturday April 18 to Thursday April 23 – last 32
From Friday April 24 to Monday April 27 – last 16
Tuesday April 28 and Wednesday April 29 – Quarter-finals
From Thursday April 30 to Saturday May 2 – Semi-finals
Sunday May 3 and Monday May 4 – Final
Who are the top seeds for the 2026 World Snooker Championship?
1. Zhao Xintong (CHI)
2. Judd Trump (ENG)
3. Kyren Wilson (ENG)
4. Neil Robertson (AUS)
5. John Higgins (ECOS)
6. Mark Williams (WAL)
7. Mark Selby (ENG)
8. Shaun Murphy (ENG)
9. Xiao Guodong (CHI)
10. Wu Yize (CHI)
11. Barry Hawkins (ENG)
12. Ronnie O’Sullivan (ENG)
13. Chris Wakelin (ENG)
14. Mark Allen (NIR)
15. Si Jiahui (CHI)
16. Ding Junhui (CHI)
Who are the recent snooker world champions?
2025: Zhao Xintong
2024: Kyren Wilson
2023: Luca Brécel
2022: Ronnie O’Sullivan
2021: Mark Selby
2020: Ronnie O’Sullivan
2019: Judd Trump
2018: Mark Williams
2017: Mark Selby
2016: Mark Selby
2015: Stuart Bingham
What is the 2026 World Snooker Championship prize money?
Winner: £500,000
Finalist: £200,000
Semi-finalist: £100,000
Quarter-finalist: £50,000
Last 16: £30,000
Last 32: £20,000
High cut: £15,000
Total: £2,395,000
Can I watch 2026 World Championship snooker on my mobile?
Yes, the broadcasters mentioned in this article have streaming services that you can access via mobile apps or through your phone’s browser – so these are BBC iPlayer in the UK and (usually) WST Play globally.
You can also stay up to date with all the action via the official World Snooker Tour (WST) social channels: @worldsnookertour on Instagram, @WeAreWST on X, the WST Facebook page and the WST TikTok channel.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.
