In the dimly lit halls of snooker arenas, where precision meets patience, professional players wield their cues with the finesse of artists, crafting shots that defy physics. Yet, beneath the green baize and the allure of century breaks lies a stark reality: for many, professional snooker is a high-stakes gamble with low financial rewards.
While legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan amass millions, most players on the World Snooker Tour scrape by, battling soaring travel costs and meager prize money for early tournament exits. With a guaranteed minimum of £20,000 per season, the sport offers a lifeline, but for lower-ranked pros, net earnings often dwindle to near minimum wage after expenses.
As snooker’s global appeal grows, with new tournaments in China and Saudi Arabia boosting prize pots, the question looms: does the sport’s grueling dedication match its financial payoff, or is professional snooker a labor of love with too little to show for it?
As we know, professional snooker’s pay varies dramatically depending on a player’s ranking, success, and ability to secure sponsorships, but for most players outside the elite, it can indeed be considered low-paying relative to the skill and dedication required.
Here’s a breakdown based on recent data and context:
Earnings Structure in Professional Snooker
Imagine the hushed intensity of the Crucible Theatre, the spotlight gleaming on the emerald felt. For the titans of the table – the maestros like the legendary Ronnie “The Rocket” O’Sullivan, the dynamic Judd Trump, and the steely Kyren Wilson – this arena, and others like it across the globe, are not just stages for sporting prowess, but also venues where significant wealth is accumulated.
Consider the staggering **£1,016,300** that graced Ronnie O’Sullivan’s coffers in the 2023/24 season alone! That’s not just pocket change; it’s a testament to his enduring brilliance and magnetic draw. Hot on his heels, the “Ace in the Pack,” Judd Trump, pocketed a cool **£911,000**, showcasing his aggressive and high-scoring brand of snooker pays handsomely.
Then there’s Kyren Wilson. His 2023/24 earnings of **£646,950** were significantly boosted by the ultimate prize in the sport: the coveted World Snooker Championship trophy. Lifting that iconic silverware doesn’t just etch your name in history; it also comes with a hefty **£500,000** winner’s cheque! It’s the pinnacle of achievement and a financial windfall rolled into one. *Interestingly, Kyren Wilson did not win the World Championship in 2025. Based on recent reports, he was surprisingly knocked out in the first round.*
Zooming out to look at career earnings paints an even more impressive picture of sustained success at the highest level. The name Ronnie O’Sullivan resonates through the sport not just for his flair and longevity, but also for his incredible career earnings, which have surpassed a breathtaking **£14 million**! To put that into perspective, it’s a fortune built cue tip by cue tip, break by break, across decades of dominating the green baize.
Joining this exclusive millionaire’s club is the “King of the Crucible,” Stephen Hendry. Though his peak years were earlier, his legacy includes career earnings exceeding **£8 million**, a testament to his unparalleled dominance in the 1990s. These monumental figures highlight the lucrative potential for those who consistently reach and conquer the grand stages of professional snooker.
It’s crucial to understand that these astronomical figures are primarily fueled by the **prize money** offered in major tournaments. The World Snooker Championship, held annually in Sheffield, stands as the crown jewel, not only for its prestige but also for its substantial payouts. The **£500,000** awarded to the champion is the single largest prize in the sport, a life-changing sum that can elevate a player’s career both on and off the table.
Beyond the World Championship, a calendar packed with ranking events like the UK Championship, the Masters, and numerous other tournaments contribute significantly to the top players’ earnings. Consistent deep runs and victories in these events are the key to climbing the ranking lists and bolstering the bank balance.
However, it’s also important to remember that this level of financial success is reserved for a relatively small elite at the very top of the professional game. While hundreds of players hold professional status, the vast majority earn considerably less, relying on consistent performance across numerous tournaments to make a living. The journey to becoming a top earner in snooker requires immense talent, unwavering dedication, and the mental fortitude to perform under the intense pressure of the world stage. For those who reach the pinnacle, the rewards can be truly substantial, etching their names in both the history books and the financial records of the sport.
Guaranteed Minimum
Since the 2022/23 season, the World Snooker Tour (WST) has introduced a game-changing financial safety net for its 130 professional players: a guaranteed minimum of £20,000 per season, dished out in two £10,000 installments, win or lose.
This lifeline offers a glimmer of stability in a sport where one missed shot can send you packing without a penny. For lower-ranked players, often grinding through early-round exits and footing hefty travel bills, this cushion can mean the difference between chasing their dreams and hanging up their cue.
But there’s a catch—players who pocket more than £20,000 in prize money see this guarantee deducted from their haul, ensuring the system rewards success while supporting the underdogs. It’s a bold move by the WST, sparking hope for journeymen pros, yet it also underscores the stark reality: for many, even this minimum barely covers the relentless costs of life on the tour.
Mid-Tier Players: Players ranked around 50th can earn above the UK average salary (£33,000 in 2022), but those ranked 78th or lower often earn less than this, with some like Lukas Kleckers barely breaking even. For instance, the 99th-ranked players in 2023/24 earned just £17,250.
Lower-Tier Players: Many lower-ranked players struggle financially. Prize money for early tournament exits is minimal (e.g., £6,000 for reaching the last 80 in the World Championship), and players cover their own travel, accommodation, and equipment costs, which can exceed £5,000 annually. This makes net earnings for journeymen players closer to £10,000-£15,000 in a bad year.
Why Snooker Can Be Low-Paying for Most
High Expenses
Unlike team sports, snooker players are responsible for travel, lodging, and meals, especially for international tournaments in places like China or Saudi Arabia. These costs can eat significantly into earnings, particularly for lower-ranked players who don’t advance far in tournaments.
Limited Revenue Streams
Snooker relies less on broadcast and sponsorship deals compared to sports like football or basketball. Ticket sales make up a notable portion of revenue, but the sport’s niche appeal limits overall prize pots.
Career Risks
Many players forgo traditional careers to pursue snooker, dedicating years to a sport with no workplace pension or employee benefits. A bad season can drop earnings below minimum wage, and players outside the top 64 face constant pressure to maintain their tour card.
Comparison to Other Sports
Snooker’s mesmerizing blend of precision and strategy rivals the technical demands of golf or tennis, yet its financial rewards often pale in comparison, leaving many pros in the shadows of their sporting peers. While top snooker stars like Judd Trump pocket millions, the average pro scrapes by, earning far less than counterparts in more lucrative sports.
For instance, a tennis player ranked 500th globally might net $40,000 annually, buoyed by deeper prize pools and sponsorships, while a similarly ranked snooker player could be hustling in pub tournaments for mere hundreds, barely covering travel costs.
Golf, with its comparable mental and technical rigor, showers even mid-tier pros with hefty purses, whereas snooker’s niche appeal and smaller commercial footprint limit payouts for all but the elite. This disparity stings, as snooker’s grueling dedication—years mastering a cue—yields meager returns for most, exposing a stark gap between skill and financial payoff.
Bright Spots
Increasing Prize Money: Prize money has grown significantly, with the World Championship winner’s cheque rising from £30,000 in 1983 to £500,000 in 2023. New tournaments in China and Saudi Arabia have boosted earnings potential.
Sponsorships and Media: Top players supplement income through endorsements, commentary, and exhibitions. For instance, O’Sullivan’s net worth is estimated at £20 million, with about 50% more than his £14.6 million prize money coming from such deals.
Long Careers: Snooker’s low physical demands allow for long careers, enabling consistent players like Mark Williams (£8.2 million career earnings) to build wealth over time.
Is Snooker Low-Paying?
For Most Players: Yes, snooker is low-paying for the majority. Only the top 64 players consistently earn above the UK average salary, and those ranked 78th or lower often struggle to cover expenses, making it a precarious career without secondary income or sponsorships.
For the Elite: No, top players can amass millions, with prize money, sponsorships, and media work creating significant wealth. However, this is limited to a small fraction of pros.
Critical Perspective: The sport’s financial structure favors the elite, leaving journeymen players vulnerable. The £20,000 minimum helps, but it’s barely livable after expenses and taxes, especially considering the time and skill invested. The growing prize pots and international events are positive, but snooker’s niche status limits its ability to reward most players comparably to mainstream sports.