Overview

The 2002 World Snooker Championship was a professional ranking tournament held from 20 April to 6 May 2002 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. It was the final ranking event of the 2001–02 snooker season and represented the 26th staging of the World Championship at the Crucible. The event attracted the leading professionals and qualifiers who competed in a straight knockout format to determine the world champion.

Venue and format

The Crucible Theatre, a compact venue known for its intense atmosphere, continued to be the traditional home of the championship. Matches were played over increasingly long sessions as the tournament progressed, culminating in a best‑of‑35 frames final. Detailed tournament information and match results are available through contemporary reports and the tournament archive; see the tournament page for schedules and draws here and venue details here.

The final and its significance

Peter Ebdon won his first and only world title in 2002, defeating Stephen Hendry 18–17 in a tightly contested final. The match was notable as Hendry's ninth appearance in a World Championship final and, to date, his last at that stage. Ebdon’s victory established him among the sport’s elite and remains a defining moment of his career. For a broader history of the championship and its past winners, consult the championship overview here.

Notable statistics and performance highlights

The 2002 tournament produced a high standard of play. A total of 65 century breaks were compiled during the event, with the highest break recorded as a 145 by Stevens in a quarter‑final match. Stephen Hendry set an individual benchmark by compiling 16 century breaks across the tournament, a record number for a single entrant at the time. These figures underlined both the depth of scoring ability among competitors and the modern emphasis on high‑break play.

Prize money and sponsorship

The championships were sponsored by Embassy and carried a total prize fund of £1,615,770, with the winner receiving £260,000. The distribution of prize money reflected the tournament’s status as the sport’s richest individual event and contributed to its importance on the professional calendar. For player information and profiles linked to the event, see the player resource here.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Peter Ebdon’s 2002 title remains the pinnacle of his professional career.
  • Stephen Hendry’s run to the final extended his record of World Championship final appearances, though it was his last appearance in a final.
  • The total number of century breaks and Hendry’s individual total highlighted a period of high scoring in professional snooker.
  • The Crucible’s long association with the World Championship continued to reinforce the venue’s iconic status in the sport.

The 2002 World Snooker Championship is often recalled for the narrowness of its final, several outstanding individual performances and the statistical milestones set during the fortnight of competition. For match reports, statistical breakdowns and archival material, contemporary sports coverage and official tournament records provide further detail.