Could the World Snooker Championship really leave the Crucible?

[@lukebywater9764]

Bad idea. The crucible is pretty much souly the reason people attend there (audience and players) because of the history attached to the venue and the great champions that have won there, that is what makes it such a special venue. All the pro players on the main tour aspire to just play there let alone win it!

[@Mrratongthailand]

Everyone leaving the uk 😂😂😂 so is snooker China here it comes

[@SuperMarioAaron64]

I like ronnie and all but he really only said that for money purposes

[@YTguySmithy-lk6go]

He's always been about the money.

[@charlesscottkelly]

Sheffield is now a dump. I went to the snooker last year the first time since 2012 when Sheffield was not that bad. 2023 it has changed for the worse. Snooker will go where the money is.

[@Green-Olle]

@@YTguySmithy-lk6go Yeah, he really need the money 😆

[@leejames8595]

Shall we take Tennis away from Wimbledon too? Or have the boat race on the Manchester ship canal? Let’s hang on to some traditions eh? FFS

[@AlanBrown-d8w]

Very good point Lee 👍

[@jonathanward7320]

The current Wimbledon winners get around £2.35 million, if Saudi came in and said we’ll give the winner £10 million and all other prize money is appropriately scaled, do you think the players would vote against it if that was an option? Or do you think they would resist the money to play in England for less money? Unfortunately it’s all about money these days, tradition doesn’t pay well but the Saudis do, it’s a reality for us all.

[@ketankshukla]

As sentimental and empathetic as you are along with millions of others ... Barry and the gang have to see this from a business standpoint as an opportunity on how to expand the sport.

[@Mrratongthailand]

Labour woke councils in the uk 😂😂😂everyone’s moving 😂😂😂lol

[@hillier22]

Thanks for thinking about the fans that have supported you through the years Ronnie! Greed, greed, greed. Lets forget about the fans so we can get richer... 😞

[@Mrratongthailand]

Lmao your country isn’t great any more and someone offering millions more anyone with a brain would take it. Blame Sheffield council the woke labour and your going vote them to run the uk 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tonnaboy10]

Oh, Sky Sports suddenly interested in snooker now that there’s a scandal brewing 🙄

[@jonyG1991]

Spot on comment there

[@billyollox6945]

Why not give Wimbledon, FA cup, The Grand National to the Saudis

[@SuperHeimen]

But winbledon and Wembley dont have capacity issue. Theres a partical reason here to consider - Crucible is too small, hence the question.

[@Robc--jd6yh]

Bad examples. Wimbledon is a Wimbledon based tennis major. Sheffield has been warned many times. They needed to have built a suitable venue. I can understand why as a player 1. I want more money 2. I would like to play at amazing facilities 3. I would like to play in front of more people. If one removed the word Saudi then everything else being suggested would be difficult to argue against.

[@jesseboy7951]

I'm gonna lose all hope in humanity if WC leaves Crucible and heads to saudi

[@tommytommytommytommyrobins496]

Not for me, crucible theatre is all part of the world championship, Sheffield is the home of snooker and how many of the fans could afford to go to Saudi to watch it? Not many I’d say

[@ketankshukla]

The Crucible only holds 980 people, in Saudi an arena 4 times as big will be sold out in a matter of hours. They have huge snooker fans in that country. In the end, Snooker is first a business and then a sport. Often people forget that.

[@Mark-eg2yd]

There was nobody at most of the matches in Saudi, which you clearly didn't watch. The crowd that was at the final the vast majority looked like they'd never seen a game of snooker before ​@@ketankshukla

[@joshyboy333]

Probably, yes. It will be a shame. Met an old lady and her husband in the hospital waiting room today who are attending this year's semi finals, providing that the husband is well enough to attend. Their children pay for them to attend each year. Would be a shame for people like those to miss out in future years.

[@karlbristow1223]

F me everyone sells out for money. I swear it wasn't always this bad.

[@Mrratongthailand]

Uk a hole

[@darkstarr2321]

It wasn't, but the world is a tougher place to make your way in in this day and age

[@johnjosmith42]

If this happens: boycott it.

[@BarnsleyMatchdayDrinkers]

I couldn’t afford to go like I can these days on the train in 25 mins

[@linkpie4174]

Ridiculous, just all about greed!

[@ketankshukla]

Sometimes you need to be greedy from a business standpoint to keep the sport thriving and expanding. I know it does hurt the local resident to see a world championship taken away from England ... but if hosting it in Saudi or somewhere else massively and exponentially increases the popularity of the sport itself, then perhaps even the local resident would say ... alright ... maybe that's good that Snooker will be around for a long long time.

[@Nico-qt4qz]

Why don't Saudi rehash the World Matchplay and own their OWN event? Why take the world championship away? Imagine the Masters leaving Augusta ridiculous.

[@alansmith8837]

Saudi no interest in sport no interest in snooker no crowds sod wst sod osullivan

[@Mrratongthailand]

Cry more 😂😂😂 uk a hole

[@summerpool]

Might be the home of snooker but with only 980 capacity they could sell it out 10 times over. Money talks

[@MeStevely]

They could hold a snooker match at Wembley Stadium - trouble is, the spectators couldn't actually see anything, it'd be too far away. A snooker table ain't all that big.

[@BiggyJimbo]

Part of the excitement comes from the intimacy of the venue. The atmosphere is electric in there. I feel this would be lost in a large venue

[@lukebarton5075]

Yeah it talks……mostly bollocks though.

[@swk4017]

I remember watching Ronnie do the quickest 147 ever! I remember with my nan huge snooker fan we watched every year "she was a huge steve davis fan" she told me about the black ball final in 85 every year she would tell me the same story but i never minded cause i loved it then the DVD czme out and i rushed out to buy it so we could watch it together. She died that the same afternoon. I love this sport and i think it should stay in the uk where the whole history is, the memories fans have of seeing their favorites, cheering them on, meeting them bringing smiles to peoples faces. but its true money talks and i get as a business, its all money but dont forget its the people of Sheffield and the UK who buy these tickets that give world snooker money.. saudi dont care about snooker its all £££

[@andrewroberts4736]

Lovely to see Kaveh Solhekol talking bollocks and making it up as he goes along about a sport other than football.

[@JasonClarke-l4d]

The crucible must stay forget about Saudi

[@stevenmitchell2996]

Agreed

[@Mrratongthailand]

Tell that to the labour council then upgrade the building idiot

[@paultaylor7947]

i will save my coin for my power for the meter at my local table

[@tccandler]

Good for the players -- I hope they take tens of millions out of the move.

[@adamdevereux6259]

Build a new crucible still within Sheffield that can hold 2000 people. Keep it in the UK.

[@paulramsay1481]

Yip - Make an exact replica but twice the size.

[@AlanBrown-d8w]

Yeah why can’t they do that there’s enough money

[@iane-z3j]

I get the reason for it leaving the crucible due to the need for bigger crowds/revenue etc. But if it does leave there then it NEEDS to stay in the UK still. This is British heritage, the biggest tournament of the year needs to be in the UK

[@VoiceOfThe]

Please NO! The length of the matches is what makes it unique as well. DO NOT CHANGE IT. PERFECT AS IT IS.

[@oz1472]

The crucible is a magic venue , a bit spine tingling, move the tournament away and you will destroy the sport, all season the players ( majority)have one eye on the crucible and qualifying . This is the first year since 2002 ( covid aside) that sadly due to his poor health I can not take my father to our annual crucible pilgrimage, and I will miss it far more than any of the other venues I often attend with him. I have my own small business so I totally get business decisions and I am all for snooker expanding around the globe , but some things just will never be the same if you change them , Wimbledon, Augusta etc

[@YTguySmithy-lk6go]

It makes harsh economic sense to relocate the event to a bigger venue. I think Saudi Arabia is a terrible idea though. The World Championship should be held in the UK.

[@bigjay539]

Another sport selling its soul for that big pot of gold.

[@ruleyramundo]

The Hearn Way.

[@prideofdurham4776]

In a few years cricket will be baseball Home Run Derby , soccer will be 4×15mins long and rugby 7-a-side played in Summer , so all British sport will be changed and moved abroad , snooker included.The English national sport will be kabaddi

[@b3564]

THE GREEDY BSTDS! Full of......all about money, how are the working classes going to afford to get to Saudi Arabia, the people who have supported this sport for years! Would not be surprised if Ronnie is just a paid puppet for them!

[@JasonClarke-l4d]

All about the money as usual

[@clivealman5700]

Crown green bowling next.

[@b3564]

On sand!

[@paulramsay1481]

Make an exact replica of the crucible,but twice the size.Keep it in Sheffield.

[@jonathanward7320]

The crucible simply isn’t big enough, look at the German masters that venue can hold a capacity of 2,500 and the atmosphere is electric, the crucible is just over 900. Purely from a capacity stand front it needs to be moved. But inevitably, if money is the focus, then you could see the winner picking up a couple of million quid in front of 100-200 spectators. That’s the way it is these days.

[@AlanBrown-d8w]

That set up is terrible though

[@jonathanward7320]

@@AlanBrown-d8w The one table set up is incredible. But with the world championship only requiring 2 tables, there’s more than enough space to give each match its own feel, rather than a divider that comes down to make it feel too tight to play

[@balalrehman]

Curable home of snooker

[@piero2611]

Eh, tremendous success in Saudi? When i tuned in the so called top players were playing to a 3/4 empty arena ffs !! Money, money, money & greed!!!!!!! Lots of football clubs have moved toward a system where the fans ( remember them) are at least given a voice in any big decisions. In snooker however, the Hearns speak for the fans so thats ok i guess!!!!

[@pacmanghostdude5227]

NEVER MOVE IT.

[@josephbenson5356]

Sheffield should build a new modern venue double the size of the crucible

[@paulstone3209]

Drama = Sky, they don't even cover it now the experts

[@nightwi5h959]

Hearn gave Sheffield Council NEARLY A DECADE to invest in the place....come on, it's past it's use if they don't grow it!

[@brentsheils]

Kaveh Solhekol some man for reporting on a "maybe" story.

[@stevenmitchell2996]

Nah keep the world championship at the crucible in Sheffield.

[@RELENTLESSCOMICS]

I think snooker does need to have more interesting formats and unfortunately the Saudis would probably be able to accommodate this however the crucible is a must stay for the pure history of it...

[@tommykavanangh3049]

Watch snooker all my life with my father and brothers think about the fans that all go to the crucible

[@Rex.Vanrynn]

As long as Barry Hearn has breath in his lungs....

[@SkylerWorld2023]

I tried to purchase a ticket to crucible for years, not successful, it just sold out in a minute every year, need a larger venue for sure!

[@fifajames123]

It’s called the world championship, surely we have to admit that it’s only fair for the tournament to travel. If it leaves the crucible it should not move to another fixed location. It should travel to different locations around the world to spread the sport.

[@AlanBrown-d8w]

What the Saudis going to do when everything is electric 🤔

[@scottburbridge8378]

Find somewhere bigger then 980 people ridiculous

[@MrRob2904]

Why not tour the UK, to gain more interest

[@faisal.bara.1988]

it will come to us .... no matter what . viva ksa

[@asimilyas234]

I don’t think the World Championship should leave the uk at all whatsoever but it definitely deserves a new and bigger home as it’s the most prestigious event, The Masters is one of the triple crown events and is a non ranking tournament so why not allow that to be hosted in Saudi Arabia and maybe move the World Championship to Alexandra Palace, who agrees?

[@tomsmith48]

I agree a larger venue would be a plus, but I do think it's nice having major events like this in places outside of the capital.

[@asimilyas234]

@@tomsmith48 another idea is to move the World Championship to Scotland seen as the UK Championship is held in England and The Masters can be held by Saudi Arabia

[@paulramsay1481]

The crucibles the home of snooker and it should never leave there,but money will talk yet again I’m afraid.

[@andyg4082]

Maybe not Saudi or china but capacity needs to be bigger now Theyd easily sell 3000 from the quarters on to the final I think So bigger venue but in Sheffield

[@Darts-kh2rs]

They always go on about crucible been to small and to compact can they not extend it? Can they not make the snokker arena longer? Higher? Wider? To keep it there

[@darkstarr2321]

Money talks, this fact always annoys me but it's inescapable

[@dalyjuice24]

More dribble from News Corpse.

[@spleeeen4it]

if it does it's the end of snooker

[@sj460162]

Great for top players. Not for fans. Not everyone would afford travel.

[@williamalberto4284]

If they want to grow the sport I think they should. Look at what the chinese have done with their chinese 8 ball/Heyball. I love UK culture but sometimes I think they are too attach to history and leaving things just as they are. Cheers and hope the sport keeps growing.( Ideally they should get a bigger venue, so the spectacle gets better)

[@michealarthur]

Naa once the deal expires I think World Snooker Championship to stay at Crucible Theatre Sheffield

[@predawnbobcat]

No chance. Ronnie just wants them to improve the facilities.

[@matthewlynes8322]

Hilarious the amount of people that get on like they would turn down the money The most important thing is to get money into the sport to promote young players wanting to get into snooker otherwise it will be dead within a few years

[@philipfriend9737]

Ronnie is already incredibly wealthy -only cares about the money-what about the fans and lesser known players?This will be the death knell for snooker.

[@oliverkentish9468]

What about the average snooker fan? Are they expected to pay fortunes to be able to go and watch their favourite players live? Then there is the question of human-rights record of the Saudis, which is still important. Saudi Arabia is using its great wealth to lure players/teams/events to that country at the expense of the ordinary fan. Keep the Snooker World Championships at the Crucible!!

[@huwgrossmith9555]

Who'd wanna go to KSA to watch the snooker? It belongs at the crucible. Or should be played in the home nation of the previous year's winner.

[@MrWozOSRS]

ronnie the goat

[@kienanpalmer4115]

People who can’t afford to travel abroad what about them??

[@markphc99]

Does money talk?

[@1234567890196]

I am from Sheffield so I would say NO but unfortunately money talks in sport these days the FA hate that it was SHEFFIELD what give us Football and now they Hate Sheffield for been the HOME OF SNOOKER if it does it will never be the same

[@daviddavio1032]

Ronnie is starting to destroy snooker for the UK. And he's not bothered, he just wants to make a big change using his name. Ronnie will probably retire just after 2027. It's wrong.

[@MichaelRyderRyder]

Never never move sacralige

[@alanmehta6448]

Snooker fans are not like football fans. Football fans will travel to hell and spend truck load of money to watch their team. Just like the last world cup, they went to hot cauldron like Qatar and lived in a tent. I can understand money is the big factor here. This is almost becoming like the IPL situation in cricket. If overseas organisers are offering money many times than UK, why would top ranked players play in UK ?

[@bbqqueef2165]

Ffs can I not escape kave

[@user-rq7gy1xf3m]

It will come down to sheer greed

[@philipfriend9737]

Greed,greed greed Ronnie already got £20 million in the bank-doesnt care about anybody but himself-greatest player ever of course-but this is a ridiculous idea.

[@evancoughlan1104]

Think about the fans😂 no fan is going to Saudi Arabia

[@videosmurf]

I don't watch any snooker or dart event coming from Saudi. It's just about money, lose tradition and you gonna lose in the long run.

[@1234567890196]

Would they take Tennis away from Wimbledon for money sake I DONT THINK 🤔 SO

[@iLoveLamp6969]

Snooker has outgrown the Crucible. Yes there is the history however its limited in more ways than one. All sports require modern facilities from the players to the punters. Opening it to bigger venues brings in more than just money, and it doesn't take a genius to be able to see that most players outside of the top 32 only just get by year on year. This is a precious sport that does not get the revenues and recognition it deserves. Most other sports now have Middle Eastern wealth driving it forward, why should snooker be exempt? Maybe Sky Sports should report on Snooker more often and give it more coverage, the opening line was 'its not often we speak about snooker' and this is coming from a 'sports' channel....

[@ElemennoP]

No way sandy balls is never a good idea.. History is more important than.. ££££.. 🤷‍♂️..

[@williambremner9022]

How can you move snooker's greatest tournament - the crown jewel of snooker! - from the home nation of the sport...where it all began and where all the richness of history exists?! Saudis have no snooker history. None! It's ridiculous! There is a long and fabled history of snooker in the UK and Sheffield and its greatest tournaments belong there. It's like saying, "Oh, let's play the Superbowl in Saudi Arabia because they're chucking tons of money at the game." Can you imagine the outrage in the USA from NFL fans?! It would cause nationwide riots. The same outrage should be voiced over this ridiculous idea. Snooker World Championship in a bleeding sandbox in the middle-effing-east. WTF!?

[@aaronc1051]

Everything Saudi Arabia has done against human rights England have done in the past and more

[@paultaylor7947]

clear the deck

[@davidfelix2594]

Could, could, could, could could, just a pure speculative report based on zero facts, typical Sky.

[@MarkReynolds-c2o]

The Hearns know the money is in Saudi, but money will not replace the British and European fans, so are they willing to make loads of cash and uck the fans? If they do, fans should stop attending tournaments, but like boxing, it will be still move because the moneys there.

[@philipfriend9737]

FFS-leave it where it is-,pure greed from the G.O.A.T.

[@albertcross4275]

How much is UAE paying Ronnie. 🤔🇫🇷

[@AlastairBarker]

SKY AT IT AGAIN, RONNIE MAKES A STUDID COMMENT AS USUAL NOW THESE GOONS ARE JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON...IF RONNIE DOESNT LIKE THE VENUE THEN HE CAN SKIP IT, END OF POINTLESS NONSENSE.

[@karelkaarna1292]

Time to move on, snooker has grown, I agree about the history part but it's the world Championships, so give it to different countries each year

[@padraiglennon2939]

Never, iconic venue, they were trying to move the world darts from ally pally also no chance both them iconic venues

[@manuelp8671]

World snooker champioship must stay in England

[@memphisbulls1859]

The Crucible is a horrid place to watch Snooker Terrible seating , poor facilities for the paying public It should have moved years ago Sheffield has been warned and warned they need to invest to improve or build a new area to keep itself the “home” of snooker but they seem to think World Snooker won’t leave? History only counts for a small part of what a venue needs The Masters were at Wembley for years but it’s gone from strength to strength since it’s move to Alexander palace Move the worlds sooner rather than later for the sake of the game If it does move

[@paultaylor7947]

why ask the obvious why

[@gavbr210]

The Saudis want their finger in every sporting pie. Just buying sport 1 by 1

[@alanmehta6448]

Becouse they want to stay relative on the world map. Thier oil is not going to last forever.

[@yorkshireladtakes3726]

Losing everything to the Saudis

[@rikgay857]

It's alright for ronnie...he's already incredibly rich and wants more..predictable.

[@keytoneflops]

The only other World championships that is in the same gaff year in year out are the cheese rolling and conker championships. You don't get football world cups being held in one country or rugby... come to think of it, any notable world cups get to go global. Lets not sound like the Americans with their 'world champions' of gridiron, baseball and basketball that only get played in the USA. I'm all for seeing snooker played elsewhere, besides... those Saudis dont give a toss about Etiquette, those big boys have their sparkling water brought to their tables while the players are down on their shots. Gives me a laugh.

[@ruleyramundo]

Earn with Hearn 🇸🇦 🇨🇳 Poor sod Ronnie is struggling 😢 😉

[@Allonmor]

Why on earth give away the Crown Jewels.. Ronnie is a mouth piece with no interests other than self interest.

[@stansolo4138]

money talks

[@Essydyk]

Ronnie's eye light up when China and Saud Arabia are mentioned - wonder why lol. Must be a tough gig plotting your way round "The Crucible" as opposed to flying to Asia or the Middle East. Of course you don't like dealing with the Sheffield plebs.