Chang Bingyu earned £172,000 from the World Championship qualifying held at the Crucible Theatre in May 2026, despite a ban stemming from a match-fixing scandal that saw him suspended for 20 months. This financial figure underscores the complexities surrounding his return to professional snooker following his suspension, which expired in December 2024.
During the qualifying rounds, Chang reached the third stage but lost 10-8 to Luca Brecel. Notably, he produced a remarkable 147 maximum break during this stage, further highlighting his skill and potential in the sport. His performance throughout the season also secured him a £147,000 bonus for achieving two maximum breaks in Triple Crown events.
In addition to his earnings from qualifying, Chang received an extra £15,000 for having the highest break at the World Championship. These figures reflect not only his talent but also raise questions regarding the implications of his past actions on his current standing in professional snooker.
The match-fixing scandal that led to Chang’s suspension involved ten Chinese players and resulted in lifetime bans for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang. Chang admitted to fixing a match at the 2022 British Open under pressure from Liang Wenbo—an admission that has cast a long shadow over his career.
After serving his suspension and returning to competitive play, Chang won the Asia-Pacific Championship and was runner-up in the 2025 Scottish Open. Shaun Murphy praised Chang’s performance after a recent match in the Welsh Open, stating, “That was as good as anything I’ve ever witnessed in my 35 years playing snooker,” which indicates a significant level of respect among peers.
As observers analyze Chang’s trajectory post-suspension, many remain cautious about how his past actions will continue to influence perceptions of him within the sport. The broader implications for other players involved in similar scandals may also become clearer as investigations continue and further rulings are expected in related cases.