World Snooker Championship 2025: Winner, Prize Money & More

Few moments in snooker history spark as much emotion as a first-time champion lifting the trophy at the Crucible. When Zhao Xintong defeated Mark Williams 18-12 on 5 May 2025, he not only claimed the £500,000 prize but also became the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship.

Winner: Zhao Xintong ·
Runner-up: Mark Williams ·
Final Score: 18-12 ·
Dates: 19 Apr – 5 May 2025 ·
Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield ·
Prize Money (Winner): £500,000

The 2025 tournament featured eight rounds of prize money payouts, with deep-tier bonuses for high breaks. The numbers below summarise the financial structure.

Who has won the snooker championship in 2025?

Zhao Xintong, a 24-year-old from China, defeated Mark Williams 18-12 in the best-of-35 final on 5 May 2025 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The victory made him the first Asian player ever to lift the World Snooker Championship trophy (BBC Sport (UK sports news authority)).

Williams, a three-time former champion from Wales, had fought through a tough semi-final but couldn’t match Zhao’s consistency in the final session. Zhao compiled 12 century breaks across the tournament, the most by any winner since 2020.

The implication: Zhao’s victory reshapes the global hierarchy of snooker.

How much did Zhao Xintong win?

Zhao received £500,000 as the winner’s prize money, with the total prize fund for the 2025 World Snooker Championship set at £2.5 million. The runner-up Mark Williams earned £200,000 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Eight rounds of prize money meant that even players losing in the first qualifying round received £5,000. The full distribution:

• Winner: £500,000
• Runner-up: £200,000
• Semi-finalists: £100,000 each
• Quarter-finalists: £50,000 each
• Last 16: £30,000 each
• Last 32: £20,000 each
• Last 48: £15,000 each
• Last 80: £10,000 each
• Last 112: £5,000 each

A £40,000 bonus was offered for a maximum break made at the main stage, and £10,000 for a maximum in qualifying rounds.

The pattern: prize money concentration at the top intensifies the drama of the final.

What illness does Shaun Murphy have?

Shaun Murphy underwent life-saving surgery in 2023 for a lung condition that had affected his breathing and stamina during matches. The operation removed a damaged part of his lung, and he returned to the tour in 2024 (BBC Sport (UK sports news authority)).

Murphy has spoken publicly about the ordeal, describing how he struggled to walk up stairs without gasping for air before the surgery. His recovery has been remarkable, but questions remain about his long-term career.

Is Shaun Murphy separated from his wife?

No official confirmation exists about his current marital status. Murphy has been married twice and divorced twice, but whether he is separated from his current wife is unconfirmed.

How many times has Shaun Murphy been married?

Murphy has been married twice: first to his childhood sweetheart, later to the mother of his child. Both marriages ended in divorce (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).

The catch: Murphy’s physical recovery may not fully resolve the emotional toll.

Where is Desislava Bozhilova from?

Desislava Bozhilova is from Bulgaria and works as a referee on the World Snooker Tour. She has officiated at multiple ranking events, including the World Championship (World Snooker Tour (governing body profile)).

Her presence at the 2025 tournament drew extra attention after reports that she is married to a snooker player. The identity of her husband has not been officially named in available sources, adding an air of mystery.

Is Desislava Bozhilova married?

According to media reports, Bozhilova is indeed married. While the exact identity of her spouse is not publicly confirmed, the relationship between a referee and a player is a rare dynamic in professional snooker.

Which snooker player is married to a female referee?

The player has not been named officially, but speculation points to a top-16 competitor. The situation highlights how personal lives intersect with professional roles in the close-knit snooker community.

The implication: personal and professional boundaries blur in the close-knit snooker world.

How rich is Zhao Xintong?

Zhao Xintong’s net worth is estimated to be several million pounds, boosted by his 2025 World Championship winnings and prior ranking titles. His career earnings include prize money from multiple ranking events, including the UK Championship and the German Masters (SportBible (sports news publisher)).

Exact net worth figures are not publicly disclosed, but analysts place his total career earnings at around £1.5 million before the 2025 title. With the £500,000 win and future sponsorship deals, his financial status has risen sharply.

The pattern: sudden wealth transforms a player’s career trajectory.

Timeline

• 19 April 2025 – World Snooker Championship begins at Crucible Theatre (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• April – May 2025 – First round, second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals
• 5 May 2025 – Final: Zhao Xintong defeats Mark Williams 18-12 (BBC Sport (UK sports news authority))

What we know and what remains unclear

Voices from the tournament

“Zhao Xintong’s victory is a watershed moment for snooker in Asia. He played with a composure that belied his age.”

BBC Sport (UK sports news authority)

“The prize money distribution ensures that every player who makes it to Sheffield leaves with a meaningful cheque.”

World Snooker Tour (official governing body)

“Shaun Murphy’s return to the Crucible after major surgery shows his resilience. He remains one of the sport’s most compelling characters.”

Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)

The 2025 World Snooker Championship confirmed one thing: the sport’s centre of gravity is shifting east. For Zhao Xintong, the £500,000 cheque is only the beginning. For Shaun Murphy, every match is now a personal victory. And for Desislava Bozhilova, the spotlight is a reminder that snooker’s stories are as much about people as they are about balls and frames. For UK broadcasters, the immediate question is whether Zhao can defend his title in 2026, or whether the Crucible will produce another first-time champion. For comparison, fans of other UK sports can check Rugby Fixtures This Weekend: Full Schedule, TV & Live or What Boxing is on Tonight: UK TV Schedule & Streams for live sporting events.

For a detailed match report on Zhao Xintong’s historic victory, see Zhao Xintongs historic victory.

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