What is the Crucible curse?

Kyren Wilson went out in the first round after victory at the World Snooker Championship in 2024

The Crucible curse refers to the fact that no first-time champion has been able to retain the World Snooker Championship title since the tournament moved to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in 1977.

A total of 20 winners have failed when attempting to defend their crown, and just two have reached the final.

Joe Johnson (1987) and Ken Doherty (1998) came the closest to breaking the 'curse' but fell at the final hurdle.

Defending champion Kyren Wilson (2024) was knocked out of the first round in 2025 by debutant Lei Peifan.

2023 winner Luca Brecel's defence of the trophy ended in the first round in 2024, when he was knocked out by qualifier David Gilbert.

All-time greats such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Selby and Stephen Hendry have won multiple World Championships but failed to retain the title the year after their maiden victory.

O'Sullivan won his first in 2001 and went on to win again in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022.

Selby won back-to-back in 2016 and 2017 after his maiden title in 2014. He also won in 2021.

The Crucible Theatre's contract to host the event expires in 2027, with discussions around the future venue for the tournament 'ongoing and constructive'.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

More questions answered...

• Who runs the Premier League? And how do rule changes happen?

• What is the 'Trump dance'? And where have we seen it in sport?

• Why are there so many international breaks?

• What is an F1 race director? And who is Rui Marques?

• How does BBC report on big stories about itself?