Neil Robertson, the Australian snooker star, has called for a significant change to the World Snooker Championship format. He argues that the current rules should be modernized to reflect the evolving nature of the game.
Proposed Format Change to ‘Best of 25’
Robertson believes that the traditional best-of-35 frames in the final is too lengthy for today’s players and audience. He advocates for a ‘best of 25’ format, stating, “In today’s day and age, I think a best out of 25 is enough.” This change, he suggests, would foster a more dynamic and engaging viewing experience.
Current Championship Structure
- The tournament begins with best-of-19 matches in round one.
- The format then shifts to best-of-25 frames in the second round and quarter-finals.
- Semi-finals are currently played over best-of-33 frames, often extending the match longer than the final itself.
Robertson emphasized that changes could standardize the game and significantly reduce the extensive time needed for a player to win the title. He expressed concern over matches that can drag on, particularly in instances where players are chasing unlikely snookers.
Addressing Drawn-out Frames
To tackle the issue of prolonged frames, Robertson proposes introducing a time limit for players attempting to secure snookers. Alternatively, he suggests implementing a points threshold that could terminate a frame if one player requires multiple snookers. He noted the tendency of players to cling to slim chances in such scenarios, which can lead to drawn-out play.
Personal Performance in the Championship
Despite the potential for tactical battles extending matches, Robertson showcased an impressive performance in the first round of the 2026 World Snooker Championship. He defeated qualifier Pang Junxu with a score of 10-6, highlighting notable breaks of 100, 81, 80, and 77.
Reflecting on his match, Robertson said, “It was nervy in the first session. Today I was able to dictate how the match went.” He will face Chris Wakelin in the second round, as he aims to maintain his position as a top contender.
Future of the Championship
As the championship progresses, Robertson still harbors aspirations to end the 2025/26 season as the world number one. However, this would require him to win the title while also hoping that Judd Trump, a fellow competitor, is eliminated in the last 16.
Robertson’s proposals highlight a desire for the sport to adapt to contemporary tastes while still preserving the core excitement of snooker. Whether these changes will be adopted remains to be seen, but they certainly spark discussion on the future of the World Snooker Championship.
