On May 5, 2026, the Snooker World Championship concluded in the early hours of Beijing time, with 22-year-old Chinese player Wu Yize defeating English star Shaun Murphy in the final to capture his first world title. Wu becomes the first “post-2000” winner in snooker history and the second Chinese player to triumph at the Crucible, following Zhao Xintong’s victory last year.
Wu Yize lifts the trophy at the award ceremony. 
The championship’s value extends well beyond the £500,000 prize purse (approximately RMB 4.6 million), as its commercial impact has triggered a chain reaction across A-share and Hong Kong-listed companies, benefiting multiple enterprises and industry chain players.
Goldlion’s Strategic Move Pays Off
Among the biggest winners is Goldlion Group (00533.HK), which had signed Wu Yize and another Chinese player, Xiao Guodong, as brand ambassadors in late 2025. At the time of the deal, Wu was merely a “new ranking event champion” without a world title, making Goldlion’s move a textbook example of a low-risk, high-reward investment. Although Goldlion’s 2025 revenue dipped 11.9% to HK$1.074 billion with a net loss of HK$39.176 million due to a sluggish menswear market, the company has already begun leveraging its snooker sponsorship. It launched a snooker-themed apparel line and opened the world’s first billiards-themed flagship store in Wuhan by the end of 2025.
Other Beneficiaries
Nongfu Spring (09633.HK) served as the official beverage partner for the 2026 World Championship, continuing its long-term collaboration with the World Snooker Tour across multiple events including the UK Championship, Masters, and Welsh Open. In broadcasting, U.S.-listed Huya (HUYA.US) was the exclusive live-streaming platform for the tournament in China, capturing massive online traffic and completing a closed-loop commercial ecosystem. BYD’s (002594.SZ) subsidiary, Denza, had named defending champion Zhao Xintong as global ambassador in 2025, maintaining brand exposure throughout the event. Additionally, Eastroc Beverage (605499.SH) was the official functional drink supplier for the World Open for two consecutive years, while Huading Plush (601113.SH) sponsored the 2024 World Open, and Shuhua Sports (605299.SH) and C&S Paper (002511.SZ) have also engaged as sponsors or suppliers in billiards-related events.
China’s Snooker Surge and Market Potential
This year’s World Championship saw a record 11 Chinese players qualify for the main draw. On the industrial front, unlisted but market-leading billiards table manufacturer Xingpai has been the official table supplier for the World Championship