World Snooker Championship: Crucible to Host Until 2045 After New Deal
The World Snooker Championship will remain at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield for at least another two decades, following an agreement reached between the World Snooker Tour (WST) and Sheffield City Council, officials announced Wednesday.
The deal secures the future of the prestigious tournament at its historic home until 2045, with an option to extend the arrangement to 2050. This announcement ends mounting speculation that the championship could be relocated, potentially even outside of the United Kingdom.
A key component of the agreement is a planned £45 million redevelopment of the Crucible Theatre. The revamp aims to increase the venue’s capacity by up to 500 seats, addressing long-standing concerns about its size. However, the renovations will necessitate a temporary relocation of the championship in 2029, and potentially 2030, while the work is carried out.
The Crucible has hosted the World Snooker Championship every year since 1977, becoming synonymous with the sport’s most coveted title. Recent concerns over the venue’s suitability had prompted discussions about alternative locations, with China and Saudi Arabia reportedly considered as potential hosts. Barry Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, had previously stated the tournament would need to move if the Crucible was not upgraded, describing the venue as “no longer fit for purpose” in April 2026.
The redevelopment will be jointly funded, with £35 million coming from national and local government and the remaining £10 million from the private sector, according to Sheffield City Council. The agreement represents a significant investment in the city and a commitment to maintaining Sheffield’s status as the home of the World Snooker Championship.
While some players, including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Hossein Vafaei, have voiced criticism of the Crucible’s limited capacity, others, like 2005 champion Shaun Murphy, have defended the venue as “holy ground” for competitors. Zhao Xintong’s historic victory at the 2026 championship, becoming the first player from China to win the title, further underscored the tournament’s global appeal and its connection to the Sheffield venue.
Hearn stated the deal “works for everyone,” adding, “I couldn’t be happier to secure the future here until 2045.” The WST and Sheffield City Council have not yet announced details regarding the alternative venue for the 2029 championship.