01-05-2025
Barry Hearn gives Crucible 3 month timeline as World Snooker Championship venue threat intensifies
A small capacity and outdated facilities has led to the chief looking at alternative settings for the biggest prize in the sport
It's the most iconic venue in snooker. But the Crucible's future looks set to be decided over the next three months.
The Sheffield theatre has hosted the World Championship since 1977, becoming synonous with legends of the game including Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan.
However it has faced criticism for tired facilities and tiny capacity of under 1,000, with Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn openly looking at alternative homes.
Hearn confirmed he met with members of Sheffield City Council on the morning of May 1 visit to discuss the possibility of extending the Crucible deal. And said that he has now issued a firm deadline for action.
'There wasn't anything particularly confidential about it. It was more an exchange of views of where both sides are," he said.
"And I have to say straight away, I was impressed with the passion and commitment that Sheffield Council have got for snooker. And I think they were very pleased to hear that we share that passion.
'We view the Crucible as the home of snooker, but again, we have to live in the real world. So, we had a very open meeting. We agreed to meet in another three months with a view to knowing exactly where we are by the end of this year.
'The pressure is on, it's one of those things, both sides are really happy here with each other, but we can't turn away from the realities of sports life, which is centred around prize money. And we have to do something big for the players because they deserve it.
"But we're locked in a period made by ourselves really. We've been super successful.
"The game is maybe taken for granted in some areas, but that's wrong because then when you do take someone for granted, you lose the relationship. Neither World Snooker nor Sheffield Council want that.
'We're both trying to move. I'm obviously prepared to stay here and be glad providing, I've got certain guarantees that give me the opportunity to reward the players.
'You always aim to make everybody happy, but sometimes you don't. I'm much more positive today, having met them to see the enthusiasm they had and their plans. One can only hope they get the necessary support from other factions that enables them to deliver a package that World Snooker would find acceptable.'
He admitted that alternative locations are being looked at - including a money-spinning switch to Saudi Arabia.
"There's several other venues who, who read what you guys write and say, oh, you know, if you're looking for more seats. But it's not just that. It's the atmosphere that's created, and it's the history and all those things,' Hearn told
'You sometimes say, would you like to be in Riyad for the Snooker Championships? I'm not sure the atmosphere will be great.
"I'm sure they'll love it. There's three, four, 500 million people that watch it on TV, that gives it a value, which we don't value ourselves at.
"But you know, you've only go to watch Friday night, the Saudis have rented Times Square and all the streets around it. I don't what it costs. Millions upon millions. And they're giving the tickets away free because they want to make a name, and they've got great fights.
'These people are going into the business world. And it's not just the Saudis, it's the Qatar as well. It's the Bahrainis.
"We are hot property. Ronnie's Academy in Riyadh is doing great. Ronnie went over a couple of weeks ago, made three 147s in one night, and the kids are going mad for him.
'This is like the beginning of a whole new market and who knows where it'll lead to. The difference is they pay, and they give me the power to be able to say, let's do this with a prize winner. Let's do that. And everyone goes, great.'
