World Snooker Championship to remain at The Crucible as new long-term agreement reached

The World Snooker Championship is to remain at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield following a landmark long-term agreement between World Snooker Tour and Sheffield City Council.

The new deal will see the sport’s flagship event stay in Sheffield until at least 2045, with an option to extend to 2050.

Separately, plans are being developed to transform The Crucible, with the sport’s most iconic venue set to benefit from a major £45m  refurbishment, including the potential to add up to 500 additional seats in an ‘in the round’ configuration, alongside other significant improvements such as enhanced spectator facilities.

The tournament will continue to be staged at the Crucible in its current design through to 2028. During the planned redevelopment period, the event is expected to be hosted temporarily at an alternative venue before returning to a transformed Crucible.

Snooker’s blue riband event first came to the Crucible in 1977 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary at the historic 980-seat venue next year.

The current agreement runs until 2027, and principles for a new long-term arrangement have now been agreed to secure one of the world’s greatest sporting events at its traditional home.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “This is the news that players and fans around the world have been waiting and hoping for. 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, said: “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.

“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 project is expected to represent a total investment of £45m, including up to £35m anticipated from national and local government, alongside a further £10m from private sector and philanthropic partners.

Early discussions with potential private sector and philanthropic partners have been supported by a recent visit to Sheffield by the Prime Minister who hosted a roundtable with business and philanthropic stakeholders, recognising the role of Sheffield Theatres as the ‘national theatre of the north’ and encouraging them to support the redevelopment.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: “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.

“I had the pleasure of recently visiting Sheffield, the home of the oldest football club in the world, to encourage partners to support a major redevelopment of the iconic Crucible Theatre to keep sport and culture thriving in this city.

“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.”

During the redevelopment period, The Crucible is expected to close temporarily while works are carried out. The construction period is currently anticipated to take around 18 months.

Discussions have also taken place around the regeneration of the Crucible’s backstage spaces. Plans include a fully accessible rehearsal space; improved, accessible dressing rooms; and expanded backstage areas with additional rooms designed to support a wide range of access needs.

Seven-time World Champion Stephen Hendry, said: “There is simply nowhere else like The Crucible or anywhere else that could replicate that atmosphere or the sense of history. 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, said: “I am so happy because I love the Crucible, 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. I am so pleased that we are working together to keep the World Championship in the city.”

This year’s World Snooker Championship runs from April 18 to May 4, as the world’s top 16 players and 16 qualifiers gather to compete for a trophy first contested in 1927, alongside a top prize of £500,000.