Stephen Hendry and Judd Trump have expressed differing opinions on where the World Snooker Championship should be held in 2029, when the Crucible Theatre undergoes a £45m refurbishment. The tournament has been staged at the Crucible since 1977, and a new agreement ensures it will return there until at least 2045, with a possible extension to 2050. However, the 2029 edition must be temporarily relocated while 500 extra seats are installed.
Hendry, a seven-time world champion and BBC pundit, argues the event should remain in Sheffield. “It would be cruel to take it away from Sheffield,” he said, citing the city’s long-standing support and financial commitment to the sport. He emphasised that the Crucible is not just a venue but part of the city’s identity.
World number one Trump, who won the title in 2019, disagrees. He believes the championship should move to Germany, suggesting the Tempodrom in Berlin as an ideal host. “The German fans have been excellent for snooker,” he told SportsBoom. If it must stay in the UK, Trump proposed London’s O2 Arena as an alternative, adding that “the UK has had it long enough”.
Trump welcomed the long-term deal for the Crucible, saying it removes uncertainty. “Nobody needs to worry… it puts all of that to bed now,” he noted. The decision on the 2029 venue has yet to be announced, but the contrasting views of two of snooker’s biggest names have sparked debate.
