Dominic Dale backs Ronnie O’Sullivan’s call to move World Championship from Crucible Theatre

Dominic Dale, the Welsh snooker player, has made headlines by supporting Ronnie O’Sullivan’s call for the World Championship to be moved away from Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. Dale, who has qualified for the tournament for the first time in a decade, believes that alternative venues should be considered once the current contract expires in 2027.

The Crucible Theatre has been the home of the World Championship since 1977, but Dale thinks it’s time for a change. He expressed his desire to see the tournament move around to different countries or parts of the UK, echoing O’Sullivan’s suggestion of hosting the event in Saudi Arabia or China.

Despite his support for exploring new venues, Dale is excited to play at the Crucible once again. At 52, he is the oldest qualifier since Steve Davis in 2010 and will face Kyren Wilson in the first round. He is joined by five other Welsh players in the tournament, including Mark Williams and Ryan Day.

While Dale acknowledges the unique atmosphere at the Crucible, he believes that the limited capacity of the venue restricts the potential audience. With only 980 seats available, Dale thinks that moving the tournament to a larger venue could attract more spectators and enhance the overall experience for players and fans alike.

Dale’s journey to the World Championship this year has been a pleasant surprise for him, as he had almost given up on qualifying again. However, his good form this season, including reaching the quarter-finals of two ranking events, has earned him a spot in Sheffield. Despite not practicing as much as he used to, Dale is grateful for the opportunity to compete at the highest level once again.

As the tournament kicks off this weekend, snooker fans will be eagerly watching to see if Dale can make a splash at the Crucible and whether his calls for a change of venue will gain traction in the future.