After years of threats that it might decamp to Saudi Arabia, Snooker’s World Championship has agreed to stay in Sheffield until at least 2045. As part of a “landmark long-term agreement” announced today, the Crucible will receive a £45m expansion — the bulk of it funded by the taxpayer — which will increase the capacity of its auditorium by up to 50%.
The championship has been held at The Crucible since 1977, under a contract that will come to an end next year on the tournament’s 50th anniversary. However, for some years Barry Hearn — former director of World Snooker Ltd, which runs the championships, and president of Matchroom Sport, which is a majority shareholder — has made it clear the venue is no longer a suitable home for the event. “I am doing absolutely everything I can to stay,” he told the BBC two years ago, while arguing the council needed to build a new 3,000-capacity venue. “I’m looking for Sheffield to come to the party and if they do, we’re staying,” he added.
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