Jimmy White says snooker “has got to be” at the Crucible after fears the World Championship could leave Sheffield were finally put to rest.
It was recently confirmed that snooker’s blue-riband event will remain in Sheffield until at least 2045 after a landmark agreement between the World Snooker Tour and Sheffield City Council was finalised.
White, one of the most iconic figures ever to grace the Crucible stage, believes the decision reflects the deep-rooted connection between the venue and the sport.
“Listen, it’s a fantastic decision,” six-time Crucible runner-up White said on TNT Sports. “Everybody is delighted with it.”
“There was talk of it going to the Far East, Saudi Arabia, or different venues, but we’re so pleased that it’s here.
“Snooker has been so good for Sheffield, and Sheffield has been so good for snooker. It’s like Wimbledon [for tennis] or Madison Square Garden for boxing.
“You know, snooker has got to be in the Crucible. They are going to add an extra 500 seats, so they are going to get the capacity crowds up. It’s going to be amazing.”
The new deal ensures that the World Championship will stay at the Crucible for at least another 19 years, with an option to extend the agreement through to 2050.
As part of the long-term commitment, there are also plans for a £45 million redevelopment of the historic theatre.
The proposed upgrades include an additional 500 seats, increasing the capacity to around 1,500, along with enhanced spectator facilities designed to modernise the venue while preserving its unique atmosphere.
The current contract had been due to expire in 2027, and there had been genuine speculation in recent years that the tournament could move elsewhere.
However, the announcement has been widely regarded as a major boost for both the sport and the city.
The championship will continue at the Crucible in its current form until 2028, after which redevelopment work is scheduled to begin.
There will likely be a temporary relocation of the tournament in 2029 while construction takes place, with the project expected to last around 18 months.
“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,” Matchroom Sport supremo Barry Hearn said at the time of the announcement.
“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.”
First staged at the Crucible in 1977, the World Championship has become synonymous with the venue and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Sheffield next year.
Over the decades, the theatre has played host to some of snooker’s most unforgettable moments – from dramatic finals to historic triumphs that have helped define the sport.
With the new agreement now secured and modernisation plans in place, the Crucible looks set to remain at the heart of snooker for a new generation, a prospect that clearly resonates with legends like White and fans alike.
Featured image credit: TNT
