Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump facing fines ahead of World Snooker Championship

Apr 17, 2026 - 19:15

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump could both be fined for missing the media launch day for the 2026 World Championship.

The two world champions both opted not to attend a green-carpet ceremony held outside the Crucible Theatre on Friday.

Ronnie O'Sullivan at the World Open — Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to fly into England at a later date ahead of this year’s World Snooker Championship

Costly absence?

Ahead of the 2026 edition of snooker’s showpiece event – which gets underway on Saturday – a mandatory media day for the top 16 seeds was held by the iconic Sheffield venue.

The top-ranked stars are expected to pose for a photo with the trophy and then be available for press duties.

But neither O’Sullivan nor Trump turned up, with the latter informing the World Snooker Tour of his absence beforehand.

With the other 14 players involved, all attending the event, the two snooker stars are likely to face punishment unless they can provide a medical reason to excuse their absence.

World No.1 Trump is based in Dubai but has been practising in Thailand due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In a recent interview, he admitted he had been essentially left homeless due to the bombing of Iran, which has impacted the UAE.

The 36-year-old begins his campaign against Gary Wilson on Tuesday, making it likely that he won’t fly into the UK until closer to the day.

O’Sullivan, meanwhile, has a first-round clash with Chinese debutant He Guoqiang in two sessions across Tuesday and Wednesday.

The seven-time world champion is also based in Dubai, but recently stated his plans to commute from Ireland while competing at the world championship.

But his and Trump’s recent media day absences could land them in hot water, with the pair looking at a minimum fine of £250.

Judd Trump playing snooker at English Open — Trump is bidding to win a second world title at the Crucible, but did not engage in his mandatory pre-tournament media duties

The rest of the top-16 seeds posed with the World Snooker Championship trophy at the event’s launch day[/caption]

However, that figure would rise if the pair have had other sanctions hanging over them this season.

This would not be the first time that a player has been fined for missing the media launch day ahead of the World Championship.

In 2023, former world champion Neil Robertson received a £250 fine for his absence from the event due to traffic problems.

Robertson missed the traditional pre-match photo and arrived more than an hour late for an interview with reporters and camera crews.

Who else is competing at the World Snooker Championship?

O’Sullivan is bidding to win a record eighth world title at this year’s World Snooker Championship.

Victory in Sheffield would see him move clear of Stephen Hendry as the competition’s most successful player.

Zhao Xintong was in town for the Crucible media day, as he prepares to defend his world title[/caption]

‘The Rocket’ enjoyed the ideal preparation ahead of his latest Crucible campaign, as he tasted glory in the inaugural John Virgo Trophy last week.

He enjoyed a comfortable 6-1 victory over four-time world champion John Higgins, who is also in action at the Crucible over the next fortnight.

O’Sullivan is not short of competition in his quest to land the £500,000 winners’ prize.

Zhao Xintong reigned supreme at the 2025 World Championship, the Chinese star becoming the first Asian player to win the tournament.

And he is expected to once again stake his claim to be the king of the Crucible, while other champions Kyren Wilson, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson are all also competing this year.