He served a 20-month match-fixing ban, returned via the amateur tour, won four consecutive Q Tour events, and then became the 2025 World Snooker Champion — China’s first. Zhao Xintong’s net worth is estimated at £5 million (~$6.3 million) as of 2026, a figure that includes over £1 million earned in the 2025–26 season alone after winning three consecutive Players Series titles and defending his world crown deep into the 2026 Crucible.
Zhao Xintong Quick Facts
| Full Name | Zhao Xintong (赵心童) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1997 |
| Age | 29 years old |
| Birthplace | Xi’an, China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Profession | Professional Snooker Player |
| Net Worth | £5 million (~$6.3M, 2026 estimate) |
| Spouse/Partner | Information not publicly disclosed |
| Known For | 2025 World Champion (first from Asia); 2021 UK Champion; match-fixing ban; £1M+ season 2025-26 |
Zhao Xintong FAQ
What is Zhao Xintong’s net worth in 2026?
Zhao Xintong’s net worth is estimated at approximately £5 million (~$6.3 million) as of 2026. This reflects his World Championship prize money, three Players Series title wins in 2025–26, the 2021 UK Championship, and the non-ranking Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. He became only the third player in history to earn over £1 million in a single season, following Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan. At 29, his earning trajectory suggests this figure will continue to grow significantly.
Why was Zhao Xintong banned from snooker?
In January 2023, Zhao Xintong received a 20-month ban from professional snooker after admitting to being “party to another player” who fixed two professional matches in March 2022. He also pleaded guilty to multiple violations regarding betting on snooker matches between 2019 and 2022. Zhao was not found to have fixed his own matches — but his admitted knowledge of and association with the fixing was deemed a serious breach of integrity regulations. The ban was widely considered appropriate given the seriousness of match-fixing as a threat to the sport’s credibility.
How did Zhao Xintong come back from his ban?
After his professional ban expired, Zhao competed on the amateur Q Tour. His return was emphatic: he won four consecutive Q Tour Europe events, finishing top of the 2024–25 Q Tour Europe rankings. This dominant amateur run earned him his place back on the professional World Snooker Tour for the 2025–26 season. His comeback from suspension to winning the world title in the same season is one of the most dramatic redemption stories in snooker history.
Is Zhao Xintong the 2025 World Snooker Champion?
Yes. Zhao Xintong won the 2025 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, defeating Mark Williams 18–12 in the final. This made him the first player from China, the first from Asia, and the first former amateur to win the World Championship. His victory sparked enormous celebration in China, where snooker has grown rapidly in popularity. Zhao’s triumph cemented China’s place at the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
Did Zhao Xintong defend his world title in 2026?
Zhao Xintong reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Snooker Championship as defending champion, where he lost 10–13 to Shaun Murphy. Wu Yize — another Chinese player — went on to win the 2026 title, becoming the fourth consecutive first-time World Champion. The all-Chinese Crucible storyline in 2026, with Zhao and Ding Junhui both competing, reflected the extraordinary depth of Chinese snooker talent in the mid-2020s.
What records did Zhao Xintong set in the 2025–26 season?
In the 2025–26 season, Zhao Xintong became the first player in history to win all three Players Series events (World Grand Prix, Players Championship, Tour Championship) in the same season. He also became only the third player ever to earn over £1 million in prize money in a single season — previously achieved only by Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan. These achievements confirmed him as not just the world champion but arguably the best player in the world during this period.
How old is Zhao Xintong?
Zhao Xintong was born on January 19, 1997, making him 29 years old as of 2026. His age makes the scale of his achievements all the more remarkable — he won his first world title at 28 and his Players Series treble at 29. With potentially 15–20 years of professional competition ahead, the records he might accumulate make him one of snooker’s most exciting long-term prospects.
Where is Zhao Xintong from?
Zhao Xintong was born in Xi’an, China — an ancient city in Shaanxi province, historically famous as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army. China has produced numerous world-class snooker players in the 21st century. Zhao began playing snooker as a child, and his professional development accelerated through China’s structured snooker development pathway.
Has Zhao Xintong won the UK Championship?
Yes. Zhao Xintong won the 2021 UK Championship in York, becoming one of the youngest players to win the tournament and confirming his exceptional talent before his match-fixing ban. The UK Championship is one of snooker’s Triple Crown events. His 2021 success foreshadowed the world title that would follow four years later, once his ban had been served and his career reset with remarkable force.
How Does Zhao Xintong Make Money?
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament Prize Money | £800,000–£1.2M/year | Annual (personal) | 2025-26 season alone exceeded £1M; varies significantly by results |
| Chinese Commercial Deals | £200,000–£500,000/year | Annual (personal) | Endorsements in China where he is a major celebrity |
| Appearance Fees | £50,000–£100,000/year | Annual (personal) | Invitational events; exhibition matches |
| Career Prize Money (cumulative) | ~£4M+ | Cumulative | UK Championship 2021 + World Championship 2025 + Players Series 2026 |
| Estimated Net Worth | £5 million (~$6.3M, 2026) | ||
Career Overview
Zhao Xintong turned professional in 2018 after developing his game through China’s snooker academies. His rise was rapid — by 2021, just three years into his professional career, he had won the UK Championship, one of the sport’s most prestigious events. His natural talent was evident: exceptional long potting, powerful break-building, and an instinctive flair that made him compelling to watch.
The match-fixing saga that interrupted his career from January 2023 to late 2024 cast a shadow over his early achievements. Yet the manner of his comeback was extraordinary. Dominating the Q Tour on his return, then winning the world title in his first full season back, suggested that the period of reflection had sharpened his focus and competitive intensity rather than diminished it.
In the 2025–26 season, Zhao established himself as the dominant force in the game. His Players Series treble — winning the World Grand Prix, Players Championship, and Tour Championship consecutively — was unprecedented. Combined with his world title defense reaching the quarter-finals, the season confirmed him as not just the reigning world champion but the most formidable active player in snooker.
Early Life
Born in Xi’an on January 19, 1997, Zhao Xintong was introduced to snooker as a child in a country where the sport had been growing rapidly since Ding Junhui’s rise in the 2000s. China’s investment in snooker academies and development programmes created a structured pathway for talented young players. Zhao’s training was intensive — Chinese snooker development programmes involve long daily practice hours and structured coaching that differs markedly from the club-based pathways typical in Britain. By his mid-teens, Zhao was competing at national and international amateur level, benefiting from the extraordinary depth of Chinese junior snooker.
Personal Life
Zhao Xintong has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout his career. In interviews, he has spoken about the emotional weight of his match-fixing ban and the determination it inspired in his comeback. His post-world title BBC interview in December 2025 revealed a thoughtful young man acutely aware of both his responsibilities as a role model for Chinese snooker and the complex legacy of his ban. He speaks through an interpreter in most Western media appearances, though his expressive playing style communicates plenty without words.
Little-Known Facts About Zhao Xintong
- He is the first player from Asia — and the first Chinese player — to win the World Snooker Championship, a historic milestone for the sport’s global development
- He became only the third player ever to earn over £1 million in prize money in a single season, after Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan
- He won the UK Championship in 2021 at just 24 years old before his career was interrupted by the match-fixing ban
- During his ban, he won four consecutive Q Tour events — a dominant display that foreshadowed his world title run
- He is the only player in history to win all three Players Series events (World Grand Prix, Players Championship, Tour Championship) in the same season
Also Read
- Ding Junhui Net Worth 2026: How China’s Snooker King Built His Fortune
- Judd Trump Net Worth 2026: Inside Snooker’s £10M Juggernaut
- Ronnie O’Sullivan Net Worth 2026: The Rocket’s Remarkable Fortune