Barry Hearn Calls for Sheffield City Council to Build New Crucible Theatre

Barry Hearn, the founder and chairman of Matchroom Sport, has sparked a debate in the snooker world by calling for Sheffield City Council to build a new Crucible Theatre. The iconic venue has been home to the World Snooker Championship since 1977, but recent criticisms from players like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Hossein Vafaei have raised concerns about its future.

O’Sullivan has suggested moving the championship to countries like Saudi Arabia or China, while Vafaei has gone as far as to say that the current venue “smells” and is not up to par with international standards. Despite having a deal to host the event until 2027, Hearn is now pushing for a new venue to be built in Sheffield to ensure the championship remains at the heart of snooker.

In an interview with the BBC, Hearn expressed his desire to stay in Sheffield but emphasized the need for a modern venue that can accommodate more spectators. He stated, “I am fed up of getting letters from people all over the world asking how they can get a ticket. We need a new venue that seats 2,500-3,000 people.”

While Hearn acknowledges the history and significance of the Crucible, he also recognizes the importance of financial considerations in today’s world. He emphasized the need for support from Sheffield City Council, stating, “I need a reason to stay here. I can’t be more loyal to Sheffield than I have but everybody needs to pull in the right direction.”

The future of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the debate over the venue’s future is far from over. Fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see how this story unfolds.