{"id":40,"date":"2026-03-31T06:10:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T06:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/2026\/03\/31\/keir-starmer-to-step-in-to-keep-world-snooker-championship-at-crucible-when-and-not-if\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T06:10:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T06:10:45","slug":"keir-starmer-to-step-in-to-keep-world-snooker-championship-at-crucible-when-and-not-if","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=40","title":{"rendered":"Keir Starmer to step in to keep World Snooker Championship at Crucible &#8211; &#8216;When and not if&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_548649\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The Crucible\u2019s contract to host the Snooker World Championship is set to expire next year but Downing Street officials are set to offer their help to keep the tournament in its long-standing home<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36910004\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sir Keir Starmer\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36910004.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2267556144.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36910004.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2267556144.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36910004.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2267556144.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36910004.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2267556144.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Sir Keir Starmer is set to offer his help to The Crucible\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Sir Keir Starmer is set to offer his help to The Crucible<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is due to offer funding in an effort to keep the World Snooker Championship at The Crucible. The Sheffield arena\u2019s contract to host the tournament is set to expire next year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Council chiefs are very keen to retain the championships, albeit president of Matchroom Sport, Barry Hearn has suggested that the other venues could be considered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The government however have stepped in, with the promise of funding, while Starmer made a visit to The Crucible last month to discuss the future of the tournament with council chiefs and local partners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A source is quoted by <a aria-label=\"The Sheffield StarLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestar.co.uk\/news\/prime-minister-set-to-commit-funding-to-keep-world-snooker-in-sheffield-6034967\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">The Sheffield Star<\/a> saying: \u201cThe negotiations are clearly gathering pace. The Prime Minister\u2019s appearance at the Crucible in Sheffield has given this exciting momentum and we shouldn\u2019t underestimate the importance of his involvement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We need concrete action next, but the roundtable discussion showed he was engaged and pretty well informed about what this would mean for the city, for the sport and for the arts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong> <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MirrorSport#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_09d958\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan considered missing World Championship over fears he&#8217;d &#8217;embarrass&#8217; himself<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_09d958\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Judd Trump declares he&#8217;s homeless after quitting UK &#8211; &#8216;I don&#8217;t really think I can go back&#8217;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe obviously wants it to happen and he was selling the idea to those in attendance. It\u2019s now a case of when and not if. These are encouraging times for the city.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Crucible has been the home of the Snooker World Championships since 1977, albeit doubt has grown with the contractual situation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Hearn has also warned that Saudi Arabia could play host to the tournament should his demands of \u00a31m prize money not be met.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking at the time, he said: \u201cThis is something where Sheffield can only go so far, but with government assistance it can go further, and it can be maintained. So, the onus is still on Sheffield to come up with something in line with our thinking.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36910005\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36910005\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Zhao Xintong \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36910005.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2213673459.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36910005.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2213673459.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36910005.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2213673459.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36910005.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2213673459.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Zhao Xintong won last year's Snooker World Championship\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Zhao Xintong won last year&#8217;s Snooker World Championship<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThis is a major event in England and yet the prize money is nowhere near where I want it to be. So, everyone understands each other&#8217;s problems.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cFingers crossed the government understands the significance of this event remaining in the UK and remaining in Sheffield.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 2026 World Snooker Championship gets underway on April 18 and is set to run until May 4. Chinese star Zhao Xintong heads into the latest edition as the reigning champion, having beaten Mark Williams in last year\u2019s final.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re curious, you can read our <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>England&#8217;s 2026 World Cup kits<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36905637.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-2jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>England Official Store<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/england-fa-shop.sjv.io\/c\/344386\/852317\/11901?subId1=Mirror-football.london&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.englandstore.com%2Fen%2Fengland-national-team-football-kits-three-lions%2Ft-25619315%2Bd-9072656104%2Bc-340607%2Bz-9-3856279017\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Buy Now on England Official Store<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer&#8217;s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: <!-- -->ENGFREEDEL<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Crucible\u2019s contract to host the Snooker World Championship is set to expire next year<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}