Sheffield Council respond to doubts over Crucible’s World Snooker Championship future

The Crucible has hosted the World Snooker Championship since 1977 (Picture: Getty Images)

Sheffield City Council have confirmed they are ‘not aware of anything to suggest’ the World Snooker Championship will not stay at the Crucible until at least 2045, despite formal contracts still to be signed.

The contract for the Sheffield theatre to host the event expires in 2027, but it was announced in March that a new agreement had been reached.

This will see the World Championship remain at the Crucible until 2028, then be staged elsewhere for a year or two while renovations are carried out.

In 2030 or ’31 the tournament will return to the revamped venue, which will boast a capacity increased by 500 seats.

World Snooker Tou...