The World Snooker Championship is set to remain at the Crucible in Sheffield until 2045. The venue will be redeveloped to add up to 500 additional seats.
The new long-term deal at the 980-capacity theatre also includes an option to extend it to 2050.
During the redevelopment period after the 2028 edition, the tournament will be staged in 2029 at an alternative venue.
Financial Backing for the Crucible’s Redevelopment
National and local government will supply £35m of the £45m revamp cost, with the other £10m coming from the private sector.
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited the Crucible last month to discuss the redevelopment.
BBC Sport has been told that central government will invest around £10m, with £20m coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, and £5m from Sheffield City Council.
Hearn’s Vision and the Crucible’s Future
Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn said last April that the tournament would have to move from its long-time home after 2027 if the venue was not revamped or replaced.
Hearn said the venue was “no longer fit for purpose” but added the World Snooker Tour ideally “want to stay” at the Sheffield theatre.
“It is really important, as we are talking about history, do you chase the big bucks somewhere else or stay where you are?” Hearn told BBC Sport as the long-term deal was agreed.
“This deal works for everyone. This is the deal that everyone ends up with bread in their mouth.
“I couldn’t be happier to secure the future here until 2045.”
Players’ Views on the Iconic Venue
Some players, including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Iran’s Hossein Vafaei, have criticised the venue for being too small, but 2005 champion Shaun Murphy called it “holy ground” for competitors.
- The World Snooker Championship has been staged at the Crucible since 1977.
- The venue currently has a 980-capacity.
- The most recent deal, prior to Tuesday’s announcement, had been due to expire in 2027.
Until the semi-finals, the World Snooker Championship is played with a two-table set-up, meaning space is tight and the fans are close to the players.
Other significant improvements such as enhanced spectator facilities will be included in the refurbishment.
It is planned for the reconfigured venue to show snooker in the round, a change from the current set-up where one end of the theatre is set aside for commentary boxes, an entry walkway, photographers’ booths and officials.
Starmer’s Support for UK’s Cultural and Sporting Heritage
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said of the new agreement: “I’m delighted this £45m of funding will support the venue to continue to develop world-class theatre and stay host to the famous World Snooker Championships for many years to come.
“We have a deep cultural and sporting heritage here in the UK – sport, art and culture are the very best of us. It’s what makes us proud not only of the country, but the places that we’re from.”
Last May, Zhao Xintong made history when he became the first player from China to win the World Championship.
The 2026 World Championship is set to be held at the Crucible.