Chinese snooker player Chang Bingyu has found himself back in the headlines after pocketing an astonishing £172,000 during the 2026 World Snooker Championship — despite never reaching the Crucible Theatre’s televised stages. The unusual payday has reignited debate around his controversial past, his remarkable talent, and the sport’s reward system.
Born in Qinghai, China, in 2002, Chang emerged as one of snooker’s brightest young prospects. He turned professional in 2019 and quickly built a reputation for fearless attacking play and heavy scoring. His breakthrough came in junior and amateur competitions before he established himself on the professional tour. Many within the game viewed him as part of the new generation of Chinese stars capable of dominating snooker for years to come.
However, his career suffered a major setback in late 2022 when he became embroiled in a huge match-fixing scandal involving several Chinese players. The investigation, led by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), uncovered corruption offences that shook the sport. Chang admitted to fixing a match at the 2022 British Open and received a 20-month suspension from professional competition. Authorities later stated that he had acted under pressure from older players involved in the scheme and that he had been “young and impressionable.”
Unlike some players who received lifetime bans, Chang was allowed to return after serving his punishment. He resumed professional competition in 2025 and immediately reminded fans why he had once been considered a future star. His performances after returning drew praise from top professionals, including Shaun Murphy, who described one of Chang’s displays as among the best he had ever witnessed.
The reason Chang earned £172,000 without playing at the main World Championship event comes down to snooker’s lucrative bonus structure for maximum breaks. During qualifying in Sheffield, Chang compiled a brilliant 147 break against former world champion Luca Brecel. It was his second official maximum break of the season, triggering a massive £147,000 bonus offered by the World Snooker Tour for players making two 147s during major events.
He also collected an additional £10,000 for the maximum itself and another £15,000 for recording the tournament’s highest break. Despite eventually losing the qualifying match 10-8 to Brecel and missing out on the Crucible, Chang walked away with more prize money than many players who actually competed in the televised championship stages.
The story has sparked mixed reactions across the snooker world. Some fans believe Chang deserves a second chance after serving his suspension, while others argue his past will always overshadow his achievements. Still, there is little disagreement about his ability. At just 23 years old, Chang remains one of the most naturally gifted players on tour — and his extraordinary £172,000 windfall has ensured that his comeback story is impossible to ignore.
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