The World Snooker Championship will remain at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield until at least 2045, with an option to extend to 2050, following a new long-term deal between World Snooker Tour and Sheffield City Council. The agreement secures the tournament's future at its spiritual home, where it has been held since 1977.
As part of the deal, the Crucible will undergo a renovation after the 2028 tournament, funded by £45 million of government investment. The venue will gain an extra 500 seats, increasing its capacity from 980 to 1,500. Barry Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, admitted the funding was decisive in keeping the championship in Sheffield.
Hearn, who had previously called for a completely rebuilt Crucible with at least 3,000 seats, conceded sentiment played a role in the decision. He said he would have 'hated himself' had he moved the event away from a venue with personal significance, noting that Matchroom was formed after Steve Davis's 1981 Crucible win.
Hearn revealed that without the government funding, the tournament would likely have moved elsewhere. He praised Sheffield City Council for securing the investment, saying they were 'desperate to keep it.' However, he acknowledged the deal was not universally popular, hinting that his son Eddie was among those who opposed it due to differing generational perspectives on the sport.
