Statement updated 3/5/24: World Snooker Championship
Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, said:
“Sheffield is the home of snooker, much like Wimbledon is to tennis and Aintree is to the Grand National. The World Snooker Championships and Sheffield go hand in hand.
“We know what the tournament means to the people of Sheffield, the players that come to compete and all the fans that watch the tournament across the globe. We have created a sporting legacy here in the city and we want that to continue for generations to come.
“The atmosphere the Crucible Theatre offers is unrivalled. It is an experience you cannot get anywhere else. In recent weeks we have heard players such as Tom Ford, Shaun Murphy and Barry Hawkins describe the magical mood when competing at the venue. Shaun said the theatre was ‘one of the best in the world’ and to the sport it was ‘home’, and we couldn’t agree more.
“We have a proud sporting history and we’re home to amazing facilities including the English Institute of Sport and the Olympic Legacy Park. We have just built the 3,000-seater Canon Medical Arena, home of the Sheffield Sharks and the Sheffield Hatters. We have two snooker academies too, and many of the upcoming stars of the game have made the city their home.
“As snooker grows, Sheffield is growing too – the city centre is undergoing a massive £470million transformation, with a new world-class hotel, more restaurants, cafes and entertainment spaces. Snooker fans have seen for decades that Sheffield knows how to put on a show, and there’s much more to come.
“In terms of the snooker, we have a contract until 2027 that we are delivering, and our priority is to ensure that everyone has the best possible experience here in Sheffield, whether that be the players, the visitors or our local residents. We are in regular contact with World Snooker Tour and meet with them before, during and after each tournament – we will continue to have conversations with them about a way forward that works for us all.”
Notes:
- As this is a commercial arrangement, we are unable to comment any further on any negotiations
ENDS