Sheffield told it might lose World Snooker Championship if Crucible isn’t upgraded

Sheffield City Council has been warned that the Crucible needs to be replaced with a larger venue, if the city wants to continue hosting the tournament.

Speculation over the future of the venue was triggered in the run-up to this year’s tournament by players who criticised facilities at the historic venue and suggested the tournament should be moved to either Saudi Arabia or China in order to maximise potential profits.

However, other top players hit back at this criticism, with ex world champion Shaun Murphy calling the comments “sacrilege”, and six-time runner-up Jimmy White branding them “absolute nonsense”.

The Crucible, which can only hold 980 people, has hosted snooker’s biggest event every year since 1977 but its current contract expires in 2027.

Barry Hearn, the former World Snooker chairman and president of Matchroom, said: “I am doing absolutely everything I can to stay in Sheffield and it takes two to tango.

“I’ll stay here while we’re wanted, and I think we’re wanted. But they’ve got to be realistic.

“We’ve said for the last few years we need a new venue that seats 2,500 to 3,000 people. I’m looking for Sheffield to come to the party and if they do, we’re staying.”

Kate Josephs, chief executive of Sheffield City Council, responded: “Sheffield is the home of snooker. The World Snooker Championships and Sheffield go hand in hand.

“We know what the tournament means to the people of Sheffield, the players that come to compete and all the fans that watch the tournament across the globe. We have created a sporting legacy here in the city and we want that to continue for generations to come.

“We are in regular contact with World Snooker Tour and meet with them before, during and after each tournament and we will continue doing so.”