The world’s top snooker player wants the World Championships to be held in Germany when the Crucible is out of action.

Judd Trump said the contest should be held at the Tempodrom in Berlin in 2029, when the theatre is having a £45m upgrade.

The expansion was announced as part of a deal to secure the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield until 2045.

Judd Trump said the World Championships should be held in Berlin when the Crucible closes for a £45m upgrade. | Getty Images

placeholder image — Judd Trump said the World Championships should be held in Berlin when the Crucible closes for a £45m upgrade. | Getty Images

Work on the Grade II listed venue is set to start in summer 2028 and end in time for the snooker championships in 2030.

An interim venue has yet to be announced, with snooker supremo Barry Hearn saying it could go to one of a dozen places.

Mr Trump, the 2019 world champion and the current world number one snooker player, said it should be Germany.

The iconic Crucible is to have an extra 500 seats installed so audiences will be on every side of the stage, or ‘in the round’. | scc

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In an interview with SportsBoom, he said: “I think the Tempodrom in Germany deserves it more than anywhere else. I think the German fans have been excellent for snooker.

“The German Masters is an amazing tournament, but I think the World Championship in that venue would be perfect if it’s just one or two table.

“I think the UK has had it long enough and it’s going to go back, so I don't see a reason why it should stay. If it was to stay somewhere in the UK, maybe the O2 Arena.”

A spokesperson for Sheffield City Council said: “During the redevelopment period, the final stages of the Championship are expected to be staged at an alternative venue. Arrangements will be confirmed closer to the time.”