The World Snooker Championship will stay at the Crucible until at least 2045, although it will take a short trip elsewhere while the Sheffield theatre is revamped with significant investment.
Snooker’s biggest tournament has been held at the Crucible since 1977 but with a deal to keep it at the venue expiring in 2027, there were question marks over its future.
Those questions have been answered as an agreement has been reached for the World Snooker Championship to stay at the venue until 2045, with an option for a further five years beyond that.
The deal sees £45m of investment into the Crucible, which will come from council and central government funding along with contributions from ‘philanthropic sources’.
The money will be spent on renovating the theatre and increasing the capacity to around 1,500, from it’s current number of just under 1,000.
There will be improvements made to the backstage areas, dressing rooms, media facilities, the concourse and spectator facilities.
The significant work will take time and will mean the tournament is held elsewhere for at least one, but no more than two years.
The World Snooker Championship will remain at the Crucible up till, and including, the 2028 event, but move to a different venue for the 2029 and likely the 2030 editions.
The destination for those editions is yet to be confirmed, but is most likely to be in the UK, given the BBC has signed up to show the event until 2032.
The World Championship qualifiers will remain in Sheffield throughout the process, but the main stages are not contracted to stay in the city in 2029 and 2030.
When the Crucible is redesigned and renovated the bigger capacity room will be an in the round experience for fans, with the new seats coming where the commentary boxes currently stand, with that area being pushed back.
The actual playing area is unlikely to be significantly changed and there are no plans to alter the format of the main stages, featuring 32 players over 17 days at the Crucible.
The winner of the World Championship currently earns £500,000 and there is yet to be any announcement on that figure increasing, but players will be hoping that will come in the near future.
President of Matchroom Sport, Barry Hearn, 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.’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said of the deal: ‘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.’
The tournament staying in Sheffield is huge news for the city as it is a significant boost to the economy of the area.
Sheffield City Council reported in 2025 that the World Snooker Championship has an annual economic impact of £4.5m, brings in around 12,000 visitors in three weeks and with global viewing figures of over 500 million, has a media and marketing value of over £3m.
A press release read: ‘The agreement reflects a citywide commitment, ensuring Sheffield and its partners continue to benefit from snooker’s long-term future in the city.
‘From cultural venues such as Sheffield Theatres to sporting facilities including the English Institute of Sport, and businesses across the city centre, the deal supports ongoing economic and reputational benefits as the sport continues to grow its global audience and profile.’
Reigning world champion Zhao Xintong said of the new agreement: ‘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.’