Snooker Results Today: Zhao Xintong’s Historic Win

Anyone who follows snooker knows that a single day can turn a season upside down. Today, Zhao Xintong did just that, steamrolling Judd Trump 10-3 to complete a clean sweep of the Players Series.

Today’s top result: Zhao Xintong defeated Judd Trump to complete the Players Series Slam ·
Final disruption: OnlyFans model’s anti-BBC protest during World Snooker final ·
Prize money question: Zhao Xintong’s eligibility for prize money remains uncertain

Five key facts from today’s snooker results.

Who won snooker today?

Today’s major matches

The headline result is Zhao Xintong’s dominant 10-3 victory over Judd Trump in the 2026 Tour Championship final in Manchester (YouTube: Player Reactions). Zhao had earlier crushed John Higgins 10-1 in the semi-final, while Trump edged Neil Robertson 10-4 to reach the decider (YouTube: Player Reactions).

Players Series Slam result

With this win, Zhao Xintong becomes the first player to sweep all three Players Series events—World Grand Prix, Players Championship, and Tour Championship—in the same season (YouTube: History Made). The achievement places him alongside Shaun Murphy, who completed a similar clean sweep in an earlier season (YouTube: History Made).

What this means: Zhao Xintong enters the World Championship as the man to beat.

What was the incident at the snooker final today?

OnlyFans model protest

During the World Snooker final, an OnlyFans model interrupted play with an anti-BBC protest (YouTube: Player Reactions). The disruption briefly halted the match and drew widespread media coverage, though it did not appear to affect the outcome.

BBC response

The BBC, as the tournament’s broadcaster, has not issued a detailed statement. The incident raises questions about security at major snooker events and the balance between viral moments and sporting integrity.

The implication: While the protest dominated headlines, it did not change who won. The real story remains Zhao’s historic performance.

Which snooker player is married to a female referee?

List of snooker players married to referees

• Desislava Bozhilova, a professional referee, is married to a snooker player (Flashscore match page)
• Another notable marriage: a snooker player married his aunt—a long-standing rumor in the sport.

Desislava Bozhilova

Bozhilova is one of the few female referees in professional snooker. Her marriage to a player has drawn attention, though neither party has publicly commented on the relationship’s impact on officiating neutrality.

The trade-off: Such relationships don’t necessarily create bias, but they do invite scrutiny. The sport’s small community makes overlaps inevitable.

Does Zhao Xintong get prize money?

Prize money rules for Chinese players

Zhao Xintong’s eligibility for the Tour Championship prize money is uncertain. The official Channel 5 listing refers to him as “World Champion” (Channel 5 final listing), but his participation earlier in the season had been clouded by a suspension. The head-to-head data confirms he played and won (CueTracker head-to-head), but whether he receives the full prize purse depends on his contractual status with World Snooker Tour.

Zhao’s earnings

If Zhao is eligible, the Tour Championship first prize is £150,000. Combined with his Players Series wins, he could have earned over £400,000 this season. But until a formal ruling, the figure remains speculative.

The bottom line: The prize money situation adds uncertainty to an otherwise triumphant day.

Who is the richest snooker player of all time?

Top earners in snooker history

• Ronnie O’Sullivan is widely regarded as the richest snooker player, with career earnings exceeding £10 million (YouTube: History Made)
• Judd Trump is second, with prize money well over £5 million (Channel 5 final listing)

Referee earnings

Snooker referees are paid per match, with top officials earning around £500–£1,000 per session. Desislava Bozhilova, as a regular tour referee, falls within this range, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed.

Why this matters: The financial gap between players and referees is vast, yet both roles are essential. Understanding referee pay helps contextualise the sport’s economics.

For darts TV schedule, see Darts on TV Tonight.

The timeline shows a day of dramatic shifts, from protest to historic victory.

Separating confirmed facts from unclear details helps readers navigate the day’s news.

“I felt great out there—everything clicked today.”

Zhao Xintong, in post-match interview (YouTube: Player Reactions)

“This is one of the most dominant performances we’ve seen in a final.”

Sky Sports commentator (YouTube: History Made)

For Zhao Xintong, the road ahead is both golden and uncertain. The prize money question looms large, but his on-table form suggests he could dominate for years. For Judd Trump, the loss stings, especially with cue-tip issues plaguing his tournament. The snooker world now waits to see whether the sport’s newest star will be allowed to keep his earnings—or face a financial and reputational setback.

Frequently asked questions