Snooker star Neil Robertson hints at major change as World Championship tipped to leave iconic British venue
Neil Robertson believes snooker must abandon the Crucible Theatre in favour of a larger venue if the sport hopes to strengthen its financial position.
The Australian player has pointed to the stark difference between snooker’s top prize of £500,000 and the £1million that Luke Littler collected after claiming the world darts championship on January 3.
Robertson considers it improbable snooker’s premier prize could reach seven figures while the World Championship remains at the Sheffield venue.
The famous Sheffield theatre’s limited capacity of 980 spectators per session represents a significant barrier to increasing revenue, according to Robertson’s assessment.
The world No3 said: “£1million pounds for the world champion would be nice, wouldn’t it? Yeah it’d be good.
“But I mean, it’s not going to happen while we’re playing in an arena with 900-odd fans allowed in, right?
“It’s just as simple as that. If we want to play for a million pounds-plus to the winner, we need to move. If we don’t move, we’re going to be stuck.
“We’ve got to move. Could you imagine if Lords could only hold like 5,000 people? How well would the darts do at Ally Pally if there’s only 2,000 allowed in? If the money can’t come in, then it’s not going to change.”
Research conducted by Sheffield City Council has calculated that the World Championship generates an economic benefit of £4.5million for the city
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The World Snooker Tour’s current agreement with the Crucible expires in 2027, with discussions ongoing between the organisation and Sheffield City Council regarding the championship’s future.
Robertson, who won the world title in 2010, joins other prominent voices within the sport who have advocated for relocation.
He added: “The fairytale, the dream, is to have a new Crucible built.
“But I don’t think Sheffield Council are going to come up with £15-20million to build a new building.”
Neil Robertson believes snooker must abandon the Crucible Theatre in favour of a larger venue if the sport hopes to strengthen its financial position
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He added: “I think next year we’re going to be off, probably to Saudi or something.
“We won’t go to China because of the TV contracts and stuff and the time difference makes it tough for them.
“So, yeah, we’ll be off after 2027. Unless something amazing kind of happens. It would be a shame to go.
“I mean, talking to some of the younger guys like Louis Heathcote. If it moved, and he never got to walk down those stairs at the Crucible, as a player, he’d be absolutely gutted.
Five quirky facts about snooker | PARobertson, who was knocked out in the Master’s semi-final by John Higgins, continued: “I totally get that if someone’s never played there before.
“Look, I really want it to stay in the UK 100 per cent. I’m not going to make any secrets about that.
“But you know the venue’s got to get sorted out because it’s outdated by 30 years, you know.”
Research conducted by Sheffield City Council has calculated that the World Championship generates an economic benefit of £4.5million for the city.
Neil Robertson was knocked out in the Master’s semi-final by John Higgins
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The 17-day tournament attracts approximately 12,000 visitors to Sheffield during the competition period.
Any potential move would need to consider the BBC’s existing broadcasting arrangements, with the corporation committed to televising the Triple Crown events through to at least 2032.
The combination of venue constraints and concerns about prize money has intensified debate over whether snooker’s showpiece event should seek a new home.
GB News has approached Sheffield City Council for comment.
