The 2026 World Snooker Championship has reached an exciting stage with semi-final action underway at the Crucible Theatre. Chinese player Wu Yize has taken a commanding 6-2 lead over former champion Mark Allen in the first session of their best-of-33-frames semi-final, while Shaun Murphy and John Higgins remain deadlocked at 4-4 in the other semi-final.
Who Won the Snooker Last Night?
The most recent completed match results come from Thursday’s semi-final sessions. Wu Yize emerged as the session leader against Mark Allen, establishing a 6-2 advantage after the first session of their semi-final. This marks Wu Yize’s first World Championship semi-final appearance, and he has started strongly at the historic Crucible Theatre venue.
In the other semi-final, Shaun Murphy and John Higgins finished their opening session level at 4-4. Earlier in the tournament, Mark Allen secured his semi-final place by defeating Barry Hawkins 13-11 in a closely contested quarter-final, booking his third semi-final appearance at the World Championship.
Key Insights from the Semi-Finals
- Wu Yize took an early 2-0 lead despite a brief power outage at the Crucible Theatre
- Mark Allen recovered to level at 2-2 before Wu Yize established control
- Wu Yize produced a near-maximum break of 136, missing the final black in frame five
- Further breaks of 78 and 64 helped Wu establish his 6-2 lead
- Mark Allen reached this semi-final with a 13-11 victory over Barry Hawkins
- The semi-finals continue Friday with two more sessions each
- Winners advance to the final starting Sunday, first to 17 frames
| Match | Score After Session 1 | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wu Yize vs Mark Allen | Wu leads 6-2 | Thursday 30 April | First to 17 |
| Shaun Murphy vs John Higgins | Level at 4-4 | Thursday 30 April | First to 17 |
| Mark Allen vs Barry Hawkins | Allen won 13-11 | Quarter-final | First to 13 |
Semi-Final Results and Current Status
The World Snooker Championship semi-finals got underway on Thursday with two intriguing matchups at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. In the featured match, Wu Yize has taken control against Mark Allen in what is his first semi-final appearance at the World Championship.
Wu Yize vs Mark Allen: Session One
Wu Yize came out firing in the opening session, establishing a 2-0 lead despite a brief power outage that interrupted play. Mark Allen, the 2022 champion and three-time semi-finalist, fought back to level at 2-2. However, Wu Yize shifted momentum decisively with a spectacular near-maximum break of 136 in frame five, narrowly missing the final black ball.
The young Chinese player continued his dominance with further breaks of 78 and 64, building his advantage to 5-2. Allen managed to win the final frame of the session, but Wu Yize carries a commanding 6-2 lead into Friday’s continuation. The match is contested over a minimum of 17 frames needed to win, with the semi-final scheduled across multiple sessions.
Shaun Murphy vs John Higgins
The second semi-final between Shaun Murphy and John Higgins remains finely poised after Thursday’s opening session, with the scores locked at 4-4. Higgins found himself trailing 3-1 midway through the session but demonstrated his experience by fighting back to level the match.
Neither player could establish a decisive advantage in the first session, leaving the tie evenly balanced as they prepare for Friday’s remaining sessions. Both semi-finals require players to reach 17 frames to advance to the final, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday.
Mark Allen secured his semi-final place with a hard-fought 13-11 victory over Barry Hawkins in the quarter-finals. This marks Allen’s third World Championship semi-final appearance, following his runs in 2009 and 2023. Wu Yize advanced by defeating Mark Selby 9-7 in the second round, highlighting his impressive form in this year’s tournament.
Who Is Playing Snooker Today?
Friday brings the continuation of both semi-final matches at the Crucible Theatre. The Wu Yize versus Mark Allen match resumes with the Chinese player holding a 6-2 advantage after Thursday’s opening session. Allen will need a strong performance to overturn the deficit in the remaining frames needed to reach 17.
Simultaneously, Shaun Murphy and John Higgins continue their tightly contested semi-final, which remains level at 4-4 after the first session. Both players will be aiming to gain the upper hand as they work toward the 17-frame target required for a place in the final.
Broadcast and Viewing Options
Viewers can follow the semi-final action through multiple official broadcasters. BBC Sport provides comprehensive coverage across television and online platforms, while TNT Sports offers additional viewing options. European audiences can access coverage through Eurosport, and the WST Player platform streams matches directly.
For those seeking real-time scoring updates, Flashscore and Snooker.org provide live match trackers and updated schedules throughout the tournament.
Snooker Schedule and Start Times Tonight
The semi-final sessions continue Friday with scheduled start times for both matches. According to the official World Snooker Tour schedule, the Wu Yize versus Mark Allen semi-final has designated session times, with the remaining frames spread across the day’s play.
Semi-Final Format
Both semi-finals follow a first-to-17-frames format, requiring a minimum of 17 frames to be won across multiple sessions. The matches will continue until one player in each tie reaches 17 frames, at which point the winners advance to the final.
- Semi-final one: Wu Yize leads Mark Allen 6-2
- Semi-final two: Shaun Murphy vs John Higgins level at 4-4
- Final scheduled to start Sunday
- Final format: First to 17 frames
Where to Find Live Updates
For the most current scores and match developments, official sources provide regular updates throughout each session. Wu Yize leads Mark Allen 6-2 after the first session of their 2026 World Snooker Championship semi-final on Thursday evening offers detailed coverage of the opening session developments.
Tournament Timeline and Recent Results
The 2026 World Snooker Championship has progressed through several exciting stages at the Crucible Theatre. Here’s a summary of key results leading to the current semi-final stage:
- Round One: Early rounds established the tournament’s 32-player field competing for places in the knockout stages
- Quarter-Finals: Wu Yize defeated Mark Selby 9-7; Mark Allen beat Barry Hawkins 13-11
- Thursday 30 April: Semi-final first sessions – Wu Yize leads Allen 6-2; Murphy and Higgins level at 4-4
- Friday: Continuation of both semi-finals with remaining sessions
- Sunday: Final begins, first to 17 frames
Confirmed Information and Outstanding Questions
Established Facts
- Wu Yize leads Mark Allen 6-2 after first session
- Wu Yize produced a 136 break in frame five
- Murphy and Higgins are level at 4-4
- Allen reached semis with 13-11 win over Hawkins
- Semi-finals are first to 17 frames
Information Awaiting Confirmation
- Final matchups and exact times for Friday sessions
- Updated scores as Friday’s play progresses
- Which players advance to Sunday’s final
- Complete frame-by-frame details from ongoing matches
Context: The Road to the Semi-Finals
The 2026 World Snooker Championship has delivered compelling drama at the Crucible Theatre. Mark Allen’s quarter-final victory over Barry Hawkins proved particularly hard-fought, with the Northern Irishman coming through 13-11 in a match that showcased his experience at this stage of the tournament.
Wu Yize’s progression has been equally impressive. His second-round defeat of former world champion Mark Selby, 9-7, signaled his readiness for deeper runs at this level. Now in his first World Championship semi-final, the Chinese player has seized the initiative against Allen with a commanding opening session.
The other semi-final features experienced campaigner John Higgins against Shaun Murphy. Higgins previously faced Ronnie O’Sullivan in earlier rounds, while Murphy brings his own pedigree to this encounter. Their level pegging after the first session suggests another closely contested match.
Official Sources and References
Coverage of the 2026 World Snooker Championship semi-finals is available through official tournament sources and established sports broadcasters. The World Snooker Tour maintains official schedules and results, while Allen through to World Championship semis with thrilling win over Hawkins provides detailed reporting on Allen’s quarter-final victory.
The semi-final between Wu Yize and Mark Allen is being tracked by multiple official and statistical sources, with Wu Yize leads Mark Allen 6-2 after the first session of their 2026 World Snooker Championship semi-final on Thursday evening offering comprehensive session coverage.
Summary
Wu Yize holds a 6-2 advantage over Mark Allen after the opening session of their 2026 World Snooker Championship semi-final, while Shaun Murphy and John Higgins remain deadlocked at 4-4 in the other semi-final. The matches continue Friday across multiple sessions, with winners advancing to Sunday’s final. For live updates and comprehensive coverage, follow official sources including BBC Sport, TNT Sports, and the World Snooker Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the snooker last night?
Wu Yize led Mark Allen 6-2 after the first session of their semi-final on Thursday evening. In the other semi-final, Shaun Murphy and John Higgins finished level at 4-4.
Who is playing snooker today?
Both semi-finals continue Friday. Wu Yize versus Mark Allen resumes with Wu leading 6-2, while Shaun Murphy versus John Higgins continues from 4-4.
What time does the snooker semi-final start today?
Official session times are listed on the World Snooker Tour website. The matches continue from the morning through evening sessions.
What channel is the snooker on?
The semi-finals are broadcast on BBC, TNT Sports, and Eurosport, with additional coverage on the WST Player platform.
Who is in the World Snooker Championship final?
The finalists will be determined once the semi-finals conclude. Wu Yize currently leads Allen, while Murphy and Higgins are level. The final begins Sunday.
What is the format for the World Championship semi-finals?
Semi-final matches are contested over a maximum of 33 frames, with players needing to win 17 frames to advance to the final.
How can I get live snooker scores?
Live scoring is available through Flashscore, Snooker.org, and the official World Snooker Tour website.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.