Chang Bingyu earned £172,000 from the World Championship qualifying despite being banned for match-fixing. This remarkable figure highlights the complexities surrounding his situation—where talent meets controversy.
Reaching the third stage of qualifying, Chang lost 10-8 to Luca Brecel. Yet, his performance included a stunning 147 maximum break, showcasing his undeniable skill even amid scandal.
His earnings break down into significant bonuses: a £147,000 reward for achieving two maximum breaks during the season’s Triple Crown events and an additional £15,000 for the highest break prize at the World Championship. Such figures illustrate not just his talent but also the financial stakes involved in professional snooker.
Chang faced a 20-month ban due to a match-fixing scandal that implicated ten Chinese players. The scandal led to lifetime bans for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang—an indication of the severity of the issue within the sport.
His ban expired in December 2024. Since then, he has returned to competition, winning the Asia-Pacific Championship shortly thereafter. Observers noted that Chang admitted to fixing a match at the 2022 British Open under pressure from Liang Wenbo—a troubling admission that still casts a shadow over his career.
Despite these challenges, Chang’s resilience shines through. He was runner-up in the 2025 Scottish Open and received praise from fellow competitors like Shaun Murphy. Murphy remarked on Chang’s performance: “That was as good as anything I’ve ever witnessed in my 35 years playing snooker.” Such accolades suggest that Chang may still have a bright future ahead in snooker.
The next steps in Chang’s career remain uncertain. While he has proven himself capable on the table, how he navigates public perception and potential scrutiny will be crucial moving forward.