Barry Hearn says he wants a decision on the future of the World Snooker Championship to be made before the end of this year.
The current contract to keep the event at the Crucible ends in 2027 and there is uncertainty over where the sport’s biggest tournament will be held after that.
Many fans and players want the World Championship to remain at the Crucible, which has held the event since 1977, but some are pushing for a move to a venue with a much larger capacity than the Sheffield theatre’s 980.
More seats and better hospitality would lead to more revenue and bigger prize money, so say those pushing for a move, but Sheffield stakeholders are fighting to keep hold of the tournament which is a money-spinner for the city.
A joint statement from World Snooker Tour, Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Theatres earlier this month read: ‘Sheffield loves snooker. Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Theatres and World Snooker Tour have been working together, along with the BBC and partners across the city, to make the 2025 World Championship the best yet. We can’t wait to welcome the snooker world back to the iconic Crucible theatre this month.
‘Sheffield City Council, World Snooker Tour and Sheffield Theatres are longstanding partners. Over the last 12 months we have had constructive conversations, with national Government, and key partners, about the World Snooker Championship beyond 2027.
‘Due to the sensitive and commercial nature of these ongoing discussions, no announcement on the future of the Championship will be made by Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Theatres or World Snooker Tour during this year’s event.
‘When we can share more information with the millions of snooker fans around the world, and with the people of Sheffield, we will provide an update.’
Hearn, the president of Matchroom Sport, has provided something of an update, telling Metro of when a decision needs to be made: ‘I think I want to know by the end of this current year, because plans have got to be put in place based on what we decide.’
As confirmed in the statement, talks are ongoing between snooker chiefs and Sheffield decision-makers.
Asked if he is happy with those discussions, Hearn said: ‘No, of course not. I haven’t heard enough about it. I’m having a meeting with Sheffield Council in early May. I wait to hear what they’re saying.
‘The clock is ticking. I don’t know if people think I’m bluffing, it would be a bad move if they did.
‘I’m hoping they give me a plan that ticks my boxes and that is the improvement of facilities for players and spectators and the bigger number of seats to cope with the demand. And obviously we run a commercial business, we’ve got to maximise revenue.
‘We’ve just doubled the prize money in darts. It will only be a matter of time until the snooker boys say, “what about us?” I’ll say, “while I’ve only got 900 tickets to sell it’s a long old struggle, mate.”
‘We’ve taken the prize money from £3.5m to £20m in snooker, in darts it’s just gone past £25m and the two of them are quite competitive.’
The huge prize money increase in darts, which has seen the World Championship winner’s share grow to £1m, is thanks to a lucrative new deal with broadcaster Sky Sports.
Hearn wants Sheffield to bring some kind of offer to the table which would make financial sense, whether that is a new, bigger venue, or possibly a site fee, which he mentions.
‘Sky’s deal with darts showed me the respect I was looking for and we managed to add £7m-£8m of prize money,’ he continued.
‘Snooker is in the same position as far as Sheffield is concerned. Show me that you respect what we’ve built, don’t take us for granted. Every relationship whether it’s husband and wife or site fee and promoter relies on not taking people for granted. I understand Sheffield want to keep it, I’d like to stay in Sheffield. Show me the money. It’s pretty basic.’
Where the World Championship would move to if it did leave the Crucible is far from clear, with the BBC extending their contract to show the Triple Crown events until 2032 suggesting it is likely to remain in the UK until then.
However, Hearn continues to float the idea of a move to the Middle East, after the big-money Saudi Arabia Masters was added to the calendar this season.
‘The Middle East, it’s no secret, is getting more of an appetite for snooker, they’re looking like the new China,’ he said. ‘Their events are big. The ranking event has got the same prize money as the World Championship and they want more.
‘It’s a difficult situation, a very difficult situation. You’ve got to think about your heart. The Crucible has been a magnificent place for me, changed my life, changed snooker players’ lives, but is it yesterday?
‘Or is there a plan from some creative member of the council to say, actually we could do this. But remember the deal runs out in 2027. It’s not a lot of time. If you’re going to build a new building, which is probably the best way, you better start digging up that earth now.’
Hearn has not generally painted a particularly optimistic picture for those who want the tournament to stay in Sheffield, but says that remaining in the Steel City is the preferred position.
‘Everybody, to a man, wants to stay in Sheffield,’ he said. ‘That’s a good starting point for Sheffield, but you’ve got to come to the table as well.
‘You can’t get complacent and take the relationship as done. That doesn’t work and they must understand that.
‘But I’m very anxious to hear what they’ve got to say in early May and we’ll go from there in our normal professional manner.’
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