The World Snooker Championship will remain at its spiritual home, the Crucible Theatre, after the sport’s governing body ended speculation over its future by signing a new long-term deal with Sheffield City Council.
The old deal was due to expire in 2027, creating uncertainty over where snooker’s most prestigious tournament would be hosted, but the new agreement means it will remain in Sheffield until at least 2045, with an option to extend until 2050.
The Crucible will also undergo a major renovation to change the layout and increase its current capacity of 980 by around 500 seats, as well as improving spectator facilities to combat frequent criticism that the ageing venue is not suitable to host a world-class sporting event in the 21st century.
The World Championship, which has a global cumulative audience of 771 million, will stay at the iconic theatre – where it first moved to in 1977 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year – in its current design until 2028 when the renovations will begin and the tournament will temporarily move elsewhere until the development is complete.
“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,” said Barry Hearn, the recently-retired snooker supremo and current president of Matchroom Sport – the body that effectively controls the World Snooker Tour.
“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.”
This year’s event begins on 18 April and runs until 4 May, with Zhao Xintong trying to defend the title he won last year to become China’s first-ever snooker world champion.
"I am so happy because I love the Crucible, it is a very special place and all Chinese players want to play there,” said Zhao. “Sheffield has become my home in the UK and it is famous around the world as the home of snooker. I am so pleased that we are working together to keep the World Championship in the city.”
A resurgent Ronnie O’Sullivan – who reached the final of the World Open last weekend – will also look to claim a record eighth title at the venue next month, as well as the top prize of £500,000.
The UK government helped facilitate the deal, with the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, visiting Sheffield recently to discuss a number cultural projects and he released a statement sharing his delight at the news that snooker would be staying in the city and at the Crucible.
“We have a deep cultural and sporting heritage here in the UK – sport, art and culture are the very best of us,” read the statement. “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 Championship for many years to come.”
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