Wu Yize will head to Sheffield in 2027 aiming to banish the 'Crucible Curse' after being crowned world champion for the first time following a thrilling final against Shaun Murphy.
Tipped by Ronnie O'Sullivan and his final opponent Murphy to dominate the world stage earlier in the campaign, Wu became the second-youngest player to lift the coveted World Snooker Championship trophy following a terrific break of 91 which snatched victory in a final-frame decider.
In a remarkable rags-to-riches tale, Wu moved to Sheffield with his father when he was 16 to pursue his snooker dream and six years later, that dream was realised in the Steel City as he held his nerve to conquer a defiant Murphy, who was seeking his second world title after last emerging triumphant in 2005.
The success of the 22-year-old marked the second consecutive year in which a Chinese player prevailed after Zhao Xintong's historic triumph at the Crucible in 2025.
Wu is the second favourite in the 2027 World Snooker Championship betting behind compatriot Xintong.
He will have to overcome the 'Crucible Curse' if he is to successfully defend his world title, however. The curse refers to the fact no first-time champion has ever retained the World Snooker Championship since the tournament moved to the famed Sheffield venue in 1977.
Xintong became the latest player to succumb to the curse and 20 players before him have all fallen to the hoodoo. Both 2024 champion Kyren Wilson and 2023 victor Luca Brecel were eliminated in the first round during their title defence, but Wu will be hoping to go one better than Joe Johnson and Ken Doherty who both finished runner-up in the year after their maiden world championships.
World number one Judd Trump ranks marginally ahead of Ronnie O'Sullivan in the betting, who is still seeking a record-breaking eighth world title.
Mark Selby is available at a single-figure price after his charge for a fifth World Snooker Championship was ended at the hands of Wu, while 2026 runner-up Murphy is also prominent in the betting after his best run at the Crucible since 2021.
2027 World Snooker Championship odds
(Odds will display when markets are available).
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
