Chang Bingyu’s £172,000 Earnings Amid Match-Fixing Ban

Chang Bingyu earned £172,000 from the World Championship qualifying rounds, despite being banned for match-fixing. His remarkable performance included reaching the third stage of qualifying, where he narrowly lost 10-8 to Luca Brecel.

During the qualifying stages, Chang achieved a stunning 147 maximum break. This feat not only showcased his skill but also secured him a £147,000 bonus for achieving two maximum breaks during the season’s Triple Crown events. Additionally, he received £15,000 as the highest break prize at the World Championship.

Chang’s journey has been tumultuous. In December 2022, he faced a 20-month ban due to a match-fixing scandal that rocked the snooker community, involving ten Chinese players and resulting in lifetime bans for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang. Reflecting on his past actions, Chang admitted to fixing a match at the 2022 British Open under pressure from Liang Wenbo. “We note that, at the time that his match fixing took place, Chang was aged 20,” said an official.

After his suspension ended in December 2024, he returned to competitive snooker and won the Asia-Pacific Championship. His comeback included being the runner-up in the 2025 Scottish Open, further solidifying his reputation in the sport.

Shaun Murphy praised Chang’s performance after witnessing one of his matches at the Welsh Open: “That was as good as anything I’ve ever witnessed in my 35 years playing snooker.” Murphy added that it was “the best performance in a best-of-seven match that I’ve ever seen,” emphasizing that if it were someone like Ronnie O’Sullivan or Judd Trump, it would dominate headlines.

The snooker world watches closely as Chang continues to navigate his career post-ban. His ability to rise above controversy and showcase immense talent keeps fans hopeful for what lies ahead.