Extended Crucible stay for world snooker

Snooker’s World Championship will remain at its Crucible Theatre home in Sheffield until at least 2017.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Jan 2015, 17:09 BST

Mark Selby celebrates after winning the final of the Dafabet World Snooker Championships at The Crucible, Sheffield. The world championships will continue at its traditional home until at least 2017.

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn made the announcement during the Masters final between Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson.

Hearn said: “It is really good news and we love the uniqueness of Sheffield.

“We have always said that while we have the support of Sheffield and the BBC, nothing changes. We have reached an agreement with the council to stay there until 2017.”

The tournament moved to the South Yorkshire venue in 1977, when it was won for the third time by John Spencer.

Stephen Hendry leads the way with seven Crucible wins, with six for Steve Davis and five for last year’s runner-up Ronnie O’Sullivan. The sixth and last of Ray Reardon’s wins also came in Sheffield in 1978.