World Snooker: Sheffield City Council makes announcement about talks over championship at Crucible

The Crucible Theatre has been the home of the annual contest since 1977, but a contract to stage the event runs out next year.

Speculation has been rife in recent times over whether the tournament will remain at the Crucible, move to another venue in the UK, or go overseas.

Last year, snooker supremo Barry Hearn said should the Championship move away from Sheffield, organisers would “need two years to get it planned properly.”

It saw fans speculate about an announcement ahead of this year’s championships in April, or even earlier.

But a spokesperson for Sheffield City Council said a deal had not yet been struck.

“Sheffield City Council, World Snooker Tour and Sheffield Theatres can confirm that conversations about the World Snooker Championship beyond 2027 are still ongoing,” they said.

“Due to the sensitive and commercial nature of these ongoing discussions no further information can be provided at this time.

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“When we can share more information with the millions of snooker fans around the world, and with the people of Sheffield, we will provide an update.”

In May last year, snooker supremo Barry Hearn met council leader Tom Hunt and chief executive Kate Josephs.

Afterwards he said they agreed to meet in another three months “with a view to knowing exactly where we are by the end of the year (2025).”

Former winner Neil Robertson told the Express he wanted World Snooker Championship to stay in the UK.

But the venue had to be “sorted out because it’s outdated by 30 years,” he suggested.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the frontrunner to host the World Championship should it leave the Crucible after 2027, though Qatar has also been mooted.

But Mr Robertson said: “The fairytale, the dream, is to have a new Crucible built but I don't think Sheffield Council are going to come up with £15-20million to build a new building,

"I think next year we're going to be off, probably to Saudi or something. We won't go to China because of the TV contracts and the time difference makes it tough for them.

"So, yeah, we'll be off after 2027 unless something amazing kind of happens. It would be a shame to go.”