World Snooker Championship 2023: TV and live stream details, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump in action, format, schedule

The climax of the snooker season is almost upon us with the biggest names in the sport contesting the 47th World Championship at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Ronnie O'Sullivan collected his seventh world title last year, but the sport's world No. 1 will face immense competition this year.

Ad Shaun Murphy has enjoyed a fine start to his 2023 campaign and will be seen a serious challenger to O'Sullivan's title defence. Tour ChampionshipMurphy warns he can be a 'handful for anyone' at World Championship4 HOURS AGO Murphy ended a three-year wait for a ranking title this year with victory in the Players Championship in February, and then claimed the Tour Championship title in Hull. However, no winner of the Tour Championship has then gone on to reach even the semi-finals at the World Championship.

Depending on results at the sport's biggest event, several players have a chance to secure the world No. 1 spot ahead of next season with victory at the Crucible as Mark Allen, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and Kyren Wilson lead the chasing pack for the coveted position. Allen has won three ranking titles this season and four-time world champion Mark Selby two.

Meanwhile, traditional favourites O’Sullivan, Robertson, Trump, John Higgins and Mark Williams — who will all be competing in Sheffield — have reached only one ranking final all season between them. Trump lost to Allen in the World Grand Prix's title match in January. Ahead of what is set to be a memorable tournament at the Crucible this year, here is all you need to know...