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Robertson Urges World Snooker to Leave the Crucible as Venue Debate Intensifies

His push for a bigger venue to deliver a seven-figure purse collides with a 2027 venue deadline plus long-term BBC broadcast obligations.

Overview

  • Neil Robertson called for moving the World Championship from Sheffield’s Crucible to a larger arena to make a seven-figure winner’s prize feasible.
  • The World Snooker Tour’s agreement with the Crucible runs until 2027, with talks ongoing with Sheffield City Council about the event’s next host.
  • The Crucible’s roughly 980 seats are cited as a revenue constraint, while commentary counters that prize growth also hinges on new star power.
  • Robertson predicted a possible post-2027 move to Saudi Arabia, framing China as difficult due to TV contracts and time-zone issues.
  • Any change of venue must account for the BBC’s Triple Crown commitment through at least 2032 plus Sheffield’s £4.5m annual benefit and about 12,000 visitors during the 17-day tournament.