The Crucible has hosted the World Snooker Championship since 1977 (Picture: Getty Images) Talks are ongoing between World Snooker Tour, Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Theatres regarding the future of the World Championship at the Crucible, but no announcement is expected any time soon. Snooker’s biggest tournament has been held at the iconic theatre since 1977, but the current contract for the Crucible to hold the World Championship only runs until 2027. As yet we don’t know whether the World Championship will stay put or move for the first time in 50 years, with the possibility of finding a bigger venue than the Crucible, which has a capacity of just under 1,000. The parties involved have provided something of an update on the situation, although the news is that there is very little news. Positive talks are ongoing between World Snooker Tour and the staekholders in Sheffield, but they have confirmed that no announcement on the event’s future will be made before or during the upcoming World Championship, which gets underway at the Crucible on April 19. A joint statement from World Snooker Tour, Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Theatres read: ‘Sheffield loves snooker. Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Theatres and World Snooker Tour have been working together, along with the BBC and partners across the city, to make the 2025 World Championship the best yet. We can’t wait to welcome the snooker world back to the iconic Crucible theatre this month. ‘Sheffield City Council, World Snooker Tour and Sheffield Theatres are longstanding partners. Over the last 12 months we have had constructive conversations, with national Government, and key partners, about the World Snooker Championship beyond 2027. Stars will assemble at the Crucible again this month (Picture: Getty Images) ‘Due to the sensitive and commercial nature of these ongoing discussions, no announcement on the future of the Championship will be made by Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Theatres or World Snooker Tour during this year’s event. ‘When we can share more information with the millions of snooker fans around the world, and with the people of Sheffield, we will provide an update.’ With no firm decision on what will happen after the 2027 World Championship, speculation will continue over the future of the event and discussion will rumble on over what should be done. Kyren Wilson was champion at the Crucible last year (Picture: Getty Images) Many want the tournament to remain at its traditional home, where so much history has been made and where thousands flock every year to experience the unique atmosphere in Sheffield. However, there remains no doubt that the biggest event in snooker could sell more tickets than are currently sold at the relatively small theatre in South Yorkshire. China and Saudi Arabia have been touted as possible new homes for the event, while more realistically it would be a larger venue in the UK if the Crucible was to be left behind. It is far from unanimous, but plenty of players are happy to stay at the Crucible, despite the possibility of more money being on offer elsewhere. Speaking at the recent Tour Championship, four-time world champion Mark Selby said: ‘I want it to stay, for sure. For me, when it gets down to the one-table set-up there’s no better venue. Mark Selby wants the Crucible to remain the home of the World Championship (Picture: Getty Images) ‘I know it’s not the biggest, but the atmosphere there, I don’t think you can replicate that anywhere else. ‘I know it could go to Saudi and they could throw a ludicrous amount of money at it, but it’s hard to get that atmosphere like we get at the Crucible.’ It has been suggested that the World Championship could move around, coming back to Sheffield every few years, something world number one Judd Trump is in favour of. ‘I’d like to see it there but not every year,’ said Trump earlier this season. ‘I’d like to see it move around and see other different countries and places get the chance to experience it as well.’