Long-standing Crucible record under serious threat as seeds dominate at World Snooker Championship

The sport’s biggest stars have dominated proceedings so far at the 2026 World Snooker Championship.

At the time of writing, all eight completed matches have by won by the seeded player, meanwhile Wu Yize is on the cusp on victory in his opening assignment (8-1 up on Lei Peifan), and Shaun Murphy also holds a first session advantage (5-4 up on Fan Zhengyi).

Ultimately, all the finished contests have also been won with change to spare; 10-7 has been the tightest outcome.

One of those 10-7 results was the first completed tie of the round when reigning and defending champion Zhao Xintong navigated some choppy waters to dispatch qualifier Liam Highfield on the opening day of the televised stages.

Number 14 seed Mark Allen was in a spot of bother when he trailed Zhang Anda 5-2 before taking what would be the final frame of the first session to stay in touch.

After temporarily ditching his recent health kick and electing to enjoy a night with friends, Allen got into the groove the next morning, fashioning a trio of century breaks in a 10-6 win.

Barry Hawkins (v Matthew Stevens) and Mark Williams (v Antoni Kowalski) both won comfortably with 10-4 verdicts against opponents at opposite ends of their careers, and Xiao Guodong defeated friend Zhou Yuelong 10-6 in the first of two all-Chinese opening round matches.

On paper, world number 16 Ding Junhui - who hadn’t played a competitive match in over two months due to not qualifying for several tournaments - looked to be one of the seeds who could be in danger of an early elimination, but the 2016 runner-up was fairly comfortable in dispatching two-time Crucible semi-finalist David Gilbert, 10-5.

Having lost five frames in a row, John Higgins overcame a small first session deficit to see off Ali Carter, 10-7.

The seed who has been in the biggest trouble, so far, was world number two Kyren Wilson.

The world champion from two years ago was staring an 8-3 deficit in the face when playing English teenage debutant Stan Moody, but he pinched frame 11 on a re-spotted black before stringing together another six frames - including one having required three snookers - to deny the youngster with a 10-7 victory.

Some big hitters are still to play in this year’s world championship: world number one Judd Trump, world number three Neil Robertson, and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Never in World Snooker Championship history at the Crucible Theatre have all 16 seeds won their first round encounter, but we are on for that this year.

The standard of the professional circuit is so deep these days - many suggest it is the best it has ever been - but the sport’s star names are staying firm on the grandest stage this time around.

The closest that the blue riband tournament has come to a 100% sweep of seeds was in 1983 and 1993, with 15 out of the 16 making it through.

In ‘83, the only seed player to exit was number 10 Jimmy White who was defeated 10-8 by good friend Tony Meo.

A decade later, it was number 14 seed Alain Robidoux who left the party early on when Doug Mountjoy registered a 10-6 win.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Snooker Championship, visit our tournament information centre here.