1996 World Snooker Championship tournament, one short of his record of 12 set the previous year. 1996 World Snooker Championship The 1996 World Snooker Championship (also referred to as the 1996 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 20 April–6 May 1996 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. Stephen Hendry won his sixth World Championship by defeating Peter Ebdon 18-12 equalling the modern day record of Steve Davis and Ray Reardon. The tournament was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Embassy. Legendary BBC commentator Ted Lowe retired after the conclusion of the final.
2016 World Snooker Championship unable to defend his title at the venue. During the tournament, six-time world champion Steve Davis played the last professional match of his 38-year career against Fergal O'Brien in the qualifiers; he announced his retirement a week later on live BBC television. Ding Junhui and Alan McManus set a new record in their semifinal for the most century breaks achieved in a professional match (10), with Ding also setting a new record for the most centuries by one player in a world championship match (7). In defeating McManus, Ding became the first Asian player ever to reach a World Championship