Zhao Xintong secures return to World Snooker tour after 20-month ban

React to this story

Zhao Xintong, one of the players caught up in a match-fixing scandal which rocked snooker in 2023, is set to return to the World Snooker tour. The former UK Championship winner has secured his place after guaranteeing himself top spot on the Q Tour Europe ranking list with progression to the last 32 in the amateur event in Mons. He will receive a two-year wildcard for the sport's elite level.

Watch the best of Trump in 2024

Video credit: TNT Sports

Zhao Xintong is set to return to the World Snooker tour after guaranteeing a first-place finish on the Q Tour Europe ranking list.

The winner of the UK Championship in 2021, Zhao, will earn a two-year World Snooker tour wildcard after Dylan Emery and Ryan Thomerson suffered early exits at the amateur Q Tour event in Mons.

Zhao is into the last 32 at the event and could still win a fourth successive Q Tour title before his return to the top level of the sport.

Shanghai Masters

Wilson to renew rivalry with Trump in final after beating Zhao in thriller

01/08/2026 at 16:06

He was banned for a year and eight months after he became engulfed in a match-fixing scandal, which saw 10 Chinese players given bans, and was eligible to play snooker from September last year.

He received the lowest penalty of the 10 players, some of whom were banned for life.

Zhao pleaded guilty of being party to another player fixing matches and betting on matches.

The 27-year-old was ranked ninth in the world at the time his suspension began, having won the 2022 German Masters title in addition to his UK Championship victory.

While he has competed on the amateur circuit since returning from his ban, the calibre of his snooker and wins in Manchester and Sweden saw him receive a wildcard invitation to the UK Championship last year.

He lost in the first round to then-world No. 9 Shaun Murphy.

Watch and stream top snooker action, including The Masters, live on Eurosport and discovery+

Shanghai Masters

Shanghai Masters 2026: Scores, schedule, results as Trump defeats Wilson in final

02/08/2026 at 16:05

Snooker

Zhao suffers shock exit at season's first ranking event

10/07/2026 at 09:36