I don’t like the Crucible. I definitely think it’s a wise decision to take the World Championship away from Sheffield. I think Saudi Arabia would be great.

I don’t like the Crucible. I definitely think it’s a wise decision to take the World Championship away from Sheffield. I think Saudi Arabia would be great.

 

 

I don’t like the Crucible, and I think it’s time people stopped treating that opinion like heresy. Yes, it’s historic. Yes, it’s atmospheric. And yes, it has hosted some of the greatest moments the sport has ever seen. But nostalgia shouldn’t be the only reason a World Championship stays rooted in one small venue forever. If we’re honest, moving the World Championship away from Sheffield is not only sensible — it’s overdue.

The Crucible Theatre simply isn’t fit for what the World Championship has become. The venue is tiny, the facilities are limited, and the capacity is completely out of step with a modern global sport. Fans struggle to get tickets, players often complain about cramped conditions, and the event feels constrained rather than elevated by its surroundings. A World Championship should feel big, prestigious, and forward-looking. Too often, the Crucible feels like it’s holding the tournament back rather than showcasing it.

There’s also a tendency to confuse tradition with stagnation. Traditions matter, but they should serve the sport, not trap it. Snooker has changed massively over the decades — in its players, its audiences, its global reach — yet its biggest event is still staged in a venue that barely allows the tournament to grow. Other sports aren’t afraid to move their showpiece events to bigger stages when the time is right. Snooker shouldn’t be any different.

That’s why I think taking the World Championship away from Sheffield is a wise decision. It opens the door to larger venues, better facilities, higher prize money, and a more ambitious presentation. It also sends a clear message that the sport wants to grow, not just preserve a museum piece. The World Championship should feel like the pinnacle of professional snooker, not like a beloved relic we’re afraid to touch.

As for Saudi Arabia, I think it would be a great option. Like it or not, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in sport, and snooker has already benefited from that investment in recent years. The events staged there have been well organised, well funded, and taken seriously. Players have spoken positively about the conditions, the professionalism, and the opportunities on offer. That matters.

Hosting the World Championship in Saudi Arabia could transform the event. Bigger venues mean more fans in attendance. Greater financial backing means higher prize money and better production values. That, in turn, raises the profile of the sport and gives players more incentive to perform at their best. A World Championship should be the ultimate reward for excellence, and money and scale are part of that reality in modern sport.

Of course, some fans will always resist change, especially when it involves leaving behind a venue as iconic as the Crucible. That reaction is understandable, but it shouldn’t be decisive. The sport doesn’t belong to a building; it belongs to the players, the fans, and its future. Sheffield has had a remarkable run, and its place in snooker history is secure no matter what happens next.

In the end, this isn’t about disrespecting the past. It’s about recognising that the future demands something bigger. I don’t like the Crucible, and I don’t think the World Championship should be locked there forever. Moving it away from Sheffield — and potentially to Saudi Arabia — feels like a bold, sensible step toward a stronger, more ambitious future for the sport.