Sheffield and the Crucible Theatre will remain the home of the World Snooker Championship until at least 2045 as £45million renovations to the world-famous venue are also announced
The Crucible will remain home to the World Snooker Championship until at least 2045(Image: PA)
The World Snooker Championship will remain at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield until at least 2045 after a landmark deal was struck between the World Snooker Tour and Sheffield City Council.
There had been talk of the tournament moving elsewhere due to outdated facilities in the Steel City and the fact only 980 spectators could be housed each session.
But major refurbishments costing £45million are set to take place adding up to 500 extra seats and securing the long-term future of snooker’s flagship event at his spiritual home.
The Crucible first hosted the World Championship in 1977 and has seen spectators flock from all over the world for two weeks every spring.
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The event will remain at the Crucible in its current setup for the next three tournaments before refurbishment commences after the 2028 edition. During the redevelopment period, it will temporarily move to an alternative venue before returning to the transformed theatre.
It will then stay at the Crucible until at least 2045, with an option to extend the deal until 2050. It ends years of speculation and snooker chief Barry Hearn has expressed his delight at thrashing out a deal.
“For over 50 years I have been promoting sport all over the world but no venue on this planet means more to me than the Crucible,” he said.
“I am so happy that after a long period of meetings and discussions we have finally agreed a deal to stage the World Championship at its historic home – the Crucible.
“My thanks must go to Sheffield City Council for all of their hard work in ensuring this great tournament remains at its spiritual home.”
Prime Minister Kier Starmer also had a role in keeping the tournament at the Crucible, visiting Sheffield last month in order to help stakeholders come to an agreement which secured its long-term future.
He said: “We have a deep cultural and sporting heritage here in the UK – sport, art and culture are the very best of us. It’s what makes us proud not only of the country, but the places that we’re from.
“I had the pleasure of recently visiting Sheffield, the home of the oldest football club in the world, to encourage partners to support a major redevelopment of the iconic Crucible Theatre to keep sport and culture thriving in this city.
“I’m delighted with today’s confirmation that the theatre and the city will stay host to the famous World Snooker Championships for many years to come.”
Snooker icon and BBC commentator Stephen Hendry added: “There is simply nowhere else like the Crucible or anywhere else that could replicate that atmosphere or the sense of history.
“It was always my favourite place to play and I still love going to Sheffield. I am thrilled that we are staying there long term.”
This year’s World Championship starts on April 18 and will culminate on May 4 with the winner landing £500,000 in prize money. China’s Zhao Xintong is the reigning champion, while Ronnie O’Sullivan will be bidding for a record eighth title.
