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Historic match could shatter TV audience records
The World Snooker Championship may soon witness its most-watched match in history-not between legends like Ronnie O'Sullivan or Judd Trump, but between two Chinese players: Ding Junhui and defending champion Zhao Xintong. Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), predicted the encounter could draw hundreds of millions of viewers in China, potentially surpassing all previous records for the sport.
Ferguson highlighted the sport's explosive growth in China, noting that snooker recently became the most-watched sport on state broadcaster CCTV. Zhao's 2025 world title victory amplified this trend, turning him into a national icon. "He's popular, cool, and funny-in both languages," Ferguson said. "His win had a massive impact, and the sport has only grown stronger since."
Zhao's rise: From underdog to national hero
Zhao's path to the 2025 title was nothing short of dramatic. After navigating four qualifying rounds, he defeated Jak Jones, compatriot Lei Peifan, and Chris Wakelin before dominating seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan 17-7 in the semifinals. His 18-12 victory over Mark Williams in the final cemented his status as China's newest sporting sensation.
World Snooker Tour data revealed that 24.5 million unique viewers tuned in for the final's third session alone, while the entire 2025 tournament drew a cumulative audience of 180 million on CCTV5. Social media buzz was equally staggering, with 1.5 billion impressions over 17 days.
"When I walk down the street in China now, people-especially kids-want photos with me. It's incredible," Zhao said. "Before, it was older fans; now, it's their children. I'm just happy to inspire them."
Zhao Xintong
Breaking the 'Crucible Curse'
No first-time world champion has successfully defended their title at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. Yet Zhao, unfazed by the so-called 'Crucible Curse,' opened his 2026 campaign with a 10-7 win over qualifier Liam Highfield. Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry, speaking to the BBC, backed Zhao to repeat his success: "He's the future of snooker for the next 10-15 years. No one scores like him."
Hendry dismissed the curse as irrelevant, noting that Zhao's triumph has already inspired a new generation of Chinese players. This year, a record 11 Chinese players reached the Crucible-up from 10 in 2025-with four advancing to the last 16.
Ding vs. Zhao: A clash of generations
Ding, 39, was China's original snooker trailblazer. His 2005 China Open victory at age 18, watched by 110 million viewers, sparked the country's snooker boom. With 15 ranking titles, including three UK Championships and a Masters triumph, Ding remains a revered figure. Yet he acknowledged the challenge of facing Zhao, a player he admires.
"He's a big star-young, charismatic, and always smiling. I love watching him play; he's improved so much," Ding said. "But this match will be tough. Playing a friend under such pressure is difficult, even for experienced players."
Ding Junhui
Both players call Sheffield home, with Ding operating a snooker academy there. Zhao, who splits his time between the UK and China, called the city his "second home" and praised the Crucible's legacy.
Prime-time showdown
The Ding-Zhao match is timed for peak viewing in China, with sessions starting at 14:30 BST (21:30 Beijing time) on Friday and Saturday, and the final session at 10:00 BST (17:00 Beijing time) on Sunday. Ferguson reflected on snooker's transformation in China: "Twenty years ago, there were no tables or clubs. Now, there are 300,000 billiards clubs, and the sport is everywhere-on TV, phones, and in packed venues."
He added: "This match is dominating Chinese news. Both players are beloved, and the audience will be enormous. It's a dream come true for those of us who've worked there for decades."
