World Snooker: Future of Championship at Crucible could be announced within weeks
The future of snooker in Sheffield could be announced within weeks, fans believe.
The Crucible Theatre has been the home of the annual World Snooker Championship since 1977, but a contract to stage the event runs out next year in 2027.
Last year, snooker supremo Barry Hearn said should the Championship move away from the Crucible, organisers would “need two years to get it planned properly.”
This raises the possibility of a decision by the return of the championships in April.
It could even be before then.
In May last year Mr Hearn met council leader Tom Hunt and chief executive Kate Josephs to discuss the issue.
Afterwards he said they agreed to meet in another three months “with a view to knowing exactly where we are by the end of this year.”
Mr Hearn is the former World Snooker Tour boss and president of Matchroom Sport.
Speculation has been rife in recent times as to whether the tournament will remain at the Crucible, move to another venue in the UK, or be taken overseas.
The Crucible arena generates a compelling, pressure-cooker atmosphere like no other in the sport, but its intimate 980-seat capacity means many fans are unable to obtain tickets to go and watch, which equates to potential lost revenue for promoters.
Organisers are also restricted with the size of the venue, meaning backstage facilities for players, staff, guests, and the media are slightly more cramped than they’d like them to be.
Mr Hearn has spoken passionately about wanting the tournament to stay at the Crucible.
But he has also explained how things need to change to meet modern-day commercial expectations for such a major, global event.
“We want to stay there. We really, really want to stay there, but it's got to be at the right price, it's got to be something where we can see the game living up to its global reputation.”
Former winners, like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Neil Roberts and Judd Trump have echoed this, with suggestions for new locations like Saudi Arabia being presented.
However, there is plenty of support for the tournament to stay in Sheffield, including from last year’s world champion, Zhao Xintong.
He has lived in the city for more than a decade and declared his love for Sheffield after claiming the title.
Mark Selby, a four-time winner, has called for the world championships to stay in Sheffield due to the unbeatable atmosphere.
And Irish legend Ken Doherty in April described The Crucible as the “holy grail” of the sport due to the atmosphere, history and nostalgia, adding: “You cannot buy that.”
Another proposal would see the Crucible demolished and replaced with a new 3,000 seat, purpose-built ‘Billiardrome’.
Sheffield has been the home of snooker’s biggest competition since 1977, and many still see the city as the spiritual home of the sport.
Read more about the game at dedicated snooker site Totally Snookered