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What is the Crucible curse?
TL;DR
The Crucible curse indicates that no first-time champion has successfully defended the World Snooker Championship title since 1977. Only two players, Joe Johnson and Ken Doherty, have reached the final while attempting to break this curse.
Key points
- The Crucible curse affects first-time champions in snooker.
- No first-time champion has retained the title since 1977.
- 20 winners have failed to defend their title at the Crucible.
- Joe Johnson and Ken Doherty reached the final but lost.
Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese winner of the World Snooker Championship in 2025 [Getty Images]
The Crucible curse refers to the fact that no first-time champion has been able to retain the World Snooker Championship title since the tournament moved to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in 1977.
A total of 20 winners have failed when attempting to defend their crown, and just two have reached the final.
Joe Johnson (1987) and Ken Doherty (1998) came the closest to breaking the 'curse' but fell at the final hurdle.
Defending champion Kyren Wilson (2024) was knocked out of the first round in 2025 by debutant Lei Peifan.
2023 winner Luca Brecel's defence of the trophy ended in the first round in 2024, when he was knocked out by qualifier David Gilbert.
In 2025, Zhao Xintong won his maiden World Snooker Championship and will be looking to break the 'Crucible curse' at the 2026 championship.
- World Championship: Match schedule & BBC coverage
- Wilson to face Lei, O'Sullivan v Carter at World Championship
- No imminent decision to be made on Crucible future
All-time greats such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Selby and Stephen Hendry have won multiple World Championships but failed to retain the title the year after their maiden victory.
O'Sullivan won his first in 2001 and went on to win again in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022.
Selby won back-to-back in 2016 and 2017 after his maiden title in 2014. He also won in 2021.
The Crucible Theatre's contract to host the event was recently extended until 2045.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
More questions answered...
Q&A
What is the history of the Crucible curse in snooker?
The Crucible curse began in 1977 when the World Snooker Championship moved to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, with 20 first-time champions failing to defend their title since then.
Who are the players that nearly broke the Crucible curse?
Joe Johnson in 1987 and Ken Doherty in 1998 are the only players who came close to breaking the Crucible curse, both reaching the final but ultimately losing.
How many players have failed to defend their title at the Crucible Theatre?
A total of 20 players have failed to defend their World Snooker Championship title at the Crucible Theatre since 1977.
