There has been an overwhelmingly positive reaction from across the snooker world following confirmation that the World Snooker Championship will remain at the Crucible Theatre until at least 2045.
The landmark agreement between the World Snooker Tour and Sheffield City Council, which was confirmed earlier on Tuesday, ensures that the sport’s flagship tournament will continue to be staged at its spiritual home for at least another two decades.
WST chairman Steve Dawson described the announcement as a moment long anticipated by players and fans alike.
“This is the news that players and fans around the world have been waiting and hoping for,” Dawson said.
“It comes following years of close negotiation with Sheffield City Council and the UK Government and we are delighted to have reached this far-reaching agreement.”
“I would like to thank our partners as we have shared a vision which continues the wonderful relationship between snooker and Sheffield.
“I can imagine walking back into that arena as the planned transformation is delivered and seeing something even more fabulous.”
Barry Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, also spoke of his personal attachment to the iconic venue.
“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,” Hearn said.
“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.”
The agreement has also been backed at the highest level of government, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighting the cultural significance of the decision.
“We have a deep cultural and sporting heritage here in the UK – sport, art, and culture are the very best of us,” Starmer said.
“I’m delighted with today’s confirmation that the theatre and the city will stay host to the famous World Snooker Championships for many years to come.”
Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt emphasised the importance of snooker to the city’s identity, as well as the ambition behind future plans.
“Sheffield loves snooker, and it’s here to stay,” Hunt said. “Snooker is part of Sheffield’s identity, and I’m incredibly proud that it will continue to be played on the world stage right here.”
“Plans are also in place for a £45 million transformation of the Crucible, which would deliver around 50 per cent more seats and enable the venue to operate as a theatre in the round.”
The redevelopment, which is expected to begin in the summer of 2028, represents a once-in-a-generation investment in the historic venue and forms a key part of the long-term agreement.
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry was among those to welcome the news, underlining the uniqueness of the Crucible.
“There is simply nowhere else like the Crucible or anywhere else that could replicate that atmosphere or the sense of history,” Hendry said.
“It was always my favourite place to play, and I still love going to Sheffield. I am thrilled that we are staying there long term.”
Reigning world champion Zhao Xintong echoed those sentiments, highlighting the venue’s global significance.
“I am so happy because I love the Crucible,” Zhao said. “It is a very special place and all Chinese players want to play there.”
“Sheffield has become my home in the UK, and it is famous around the world as the home of snooker.”
The agreement, combined with the planned redevelopment, signals a long-term commitment to both the sport and the city, ensuring that the World Snooker Championship will remain at the heart of Sheffield for decades to come.
Featured photo credit: WST
Yes, it’s great they have come up with what appears a promising deal.
I’ve long been a strong critic of the Crucible as an adequate venue for a major global sporting event in the 21-st century, mainly because of the very limited facilites on such a small site.
But this redevelopment plan can hopefully address those concerns. Everything depends on this. The most interesting parts of the announcement refer to the backstage facilities, which are essential for participants, media, corporate hospitality, global media, sponsors, etc. There are some suggestions to expand beyond the current site to support this.
The ‘artistic impression’ should of course be taken with a pinch of salt, and in many ways the plans (and budget, and timescales) will certainly ‘evolve’ over the years. But it does look like a 1-table event, perhaps with 16 players. This would probably help focus the event for general viewers, who want to see the big-name players.
But today’s announcement was about the venue, to refresh snooker’s image. I’m happy to see there’s an actual deal, with money available, rather than just muddling through which has been the case for too long.
I’d be very surprised if it goes down to 16 players. Presumably that photo was just to signal how it might look as the single table setup at the latter stages.
The problem with the picture is it’s all that we have! Whoever drew it (or generated it) wasn’t aiming for detail, just an ‘impression’. Once they start making detailed architectural plans, measurements and calculations can be made, and then the format (i.e. number of tables) can be decided. Moving to ‘in the round’ theatre layout would suggest expanding the depth of the stage, but if anything reducing the width – a more circular shape. We shouldn’t forget that its primary purpose is as Sheffield’s repertory theatre, and the government money isn’t just a grant for WST to build a snooker space.
I think it’s also likely we won’t have floor cameras, assistant referees (“markers”) or commentary boxes. Technology will render those obsolete. So there is scope for more space available on stage.
There’s no suggestion after the revamp that it will be a one table format with 16 players.
If anything, most don’t want any change to the format as every champion of the Crucible Era has come through largely a similar test.
The qualifying aspect of the event has now become a great element of the tournament and you’d take that away with a 16-player field at the venue.
I was absolutely buzzing about the news after I found out as this venue underpins a lot of what makes the World Championship so special and a class apart from any other tournament.
Qualifiers are important to me (I will be there for 8 days!) and to you, but probably not to the general viewer. In fact, the first World Championship I watched, in 1979, did indeed have a 16-player draw.
On the format, I am generally in agreement with you. I wouldn’t want to see a reduction in frames. But if anything had to change, I was open to the possibility of more tables rather than less.
Anyway, yesterday was about the Crucible deal. Other details will follow in the years to come, when they’re worked out.
The format is unlikely to change as the BBC is in a strong position to remain as host broadcaster until 2045. The Beeb will want the 17 days of top class sport it offers.
Someone should write and produce the Jimmy White play and have it played in the theater as a curtain raiser to the new venue. The old crucible set in the new crucible. Maybe a bit depressing- too many wounds.