Sheffield Secures Snooker Worlds at Crucible to 2045

Sheffield's Crucible Theatre will host the World Snooker Championship for at least another two decades, following a new agreement between the World Snooker Tour and the city council announced on Tuesday. The deal secures the event at the iconic venue until 2045, with an option to extend for five more years, ending years of uncertainty about its future.

The agreement includes a 45 million refurbishment of the 980-seat theater, funded primarily by local and central government contributions of 35 million, supplemented by 10 million from the public sector. Work is set to begin in the summer of 2028 and last about 18 months, increasing capacity by 500 seats to nearly 1,500 in an in-the-round configuration that adds seating on the fourth side of the playing area. The intimate two-table setup for early rounds and the tight space around the tables, long praised for creating a unique atmosphere, will remain largely unchanged. The championship will continue at the Crucible through 2028 but must relocate temporarily for the 2029 event and possibly 2030, with a return planned for 2031. Officials have not yet confirmed an interim venue, though staying in the United Kingdom appears likely...