Three-time snooker world champion Mark Williams has had second thoughts on whether the World Snooker Championship should leave the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The Crucible Theatre has hosted the World Championship since 1977, including the most recent World Championship 2024, establishing a legendary presence in the sport’s history.
With the venue hosting only 980 people and some of its facilities arguably outdated, it is rumoured that a change of venue in China or Saudi Arabia could be the right option.
With the Crucible’s current lease ending in 2027, for its 50th year, the 2024 edition provided a big debate by fans and players alike on whether the venue is still fit for purpose.
Mark Williams on Crucible stance and Saudi Arabia prize money
Mark Williams previously labelled the theatre as a “s***hole” on Twitter back in 2012, but over time has grown more fond of the venue and its rich history.
“A few years ago I was the one for saying that it probably should move, but I’ve changed my mind and I think it should stay at the Crucible,” Williams disclosed in an interview with William Hill on YouTube.
The current total World Snooker Championship prize money lies at £2,395,000, with a £500,000 share for the winner.
If the event were to move away from Sheffield, it could become the next sport to host big events in Saudi Arabia.
The Welshman points out that a potential move away from Sheffield would increase the likelihood of a bigger prize pot distribution from first-round defeats all the way to the winner.
“I think if the players had a vote, then most of them would vote for it to go to Saudi Arabia or China and have one or two million for the winner, then that money filters down. Instead of getting £20,000 to turn up in Sheffield, you could be on £70,000 to turn up in Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabia’s recent history with snooker
Saudi Arabia hosted its inaugural snooker tournament in Riyadh in March, with Ronnie O’Sullivan winning the £250,000 jackpot as he was crowned the 2024 World Masters of Snooker champion.
The country’s investment in the sport will see two tournaments hosted in the Middle Eastern country for the 2024/25 World Snooker Tour season, adding additional opportunities for players.
Williams himself participated in the World Masters of Snooker, so he knows first-hand the contrast in playing experiences in both Sheffield and Saudi Arabia, but he sees the preferred direction the sport wants to take.
“You can go to Saudi Arabia and have one or two million [pounds] to the winner in a 3,000-seater stadium, but you’re only going to get a couple of hundred people in to watch it in a 3,000-seat stadium. You can’t generate the atmosphere that the Crucible does with 900 [people], you just can’t do it.
“But at the end of the day the way sport is going, money talks. I just think it’s inevitable as soon as the contract runs out it’s gone. Whether it’s Saudi or China I don’t know. Money seems to be the main ruler of sport these days.”