Barry Hearn has revealed that talks with Sheffield have started over building a ‘new Crucible’ with a capacity of up to 3,000.
The current theatre, seating just 980, has become the iconic and spiritual theatre home of snooker with its tight surroundings and unique atmosphere. But in terms of capacity, room for the players in the early rounds with the dividing partition, and the facilities available for hospitality, there have been concerns.
The success of January’s Masters even at Alexandra Palace that is selling over 2,000 tickets per session and has a much-acclaimed viewing restaurant has upped the stakes.
Former World Snooker chairman and Matchroom president Hearn wants the Betfred World Championship to stay in Sheffield, but is calling for help and cash to make it happen – hinting that if he doesn’t get it, then a move might be on the cards.
He said: “I want the World Championship to stay in Sheffield, and consider the city an important part of the brand. If we moved only for a few quid, we could devalue that.
“But what you can do is put pressure on people like Sheffield Council and say ‘You have four or five years to go and we’d like to stay’.
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“But don’t you think it might be a good idea to build a new Crucible in Sheffield with 2,500 to 3,000 seats? You imply that if they don’t think that is a good idea, they risk losing this great and historic event that brings in billions in investment into the city and the area.
“We are talking to Sheffield now and saying let’s be realistic. The city and the snooker are a wonderful marriage and there is no need to divorce.
“It is a halfway house and not the full deal with the history. If I could do anything on the existing site, of course, I would. But there isn’t simply the space. So you take history with you.”
This post appeared first on Daily Star – Snooker.
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