Well the snooker season is over for another year, but thought I would try and continue the chat a bit longer.
It seems inevitable the World Championships will be elsewhere after 2027, so where would you want it to go? There's been a fair bit of sentiment around staying at the Crucible, especially from the older / retired players, but for me, the venue isn't big enough, and a number of current players question the facilities. Time to move on with the times.
It was great in the 80s and 90s, but it's being shown up by other venues, and I think once it gets a settled new home, because it's 'THE' event, it will always have a great pressurised atmosphere.
I don't like the thought of it going abroad initially, although could see that further down the line, depending on how the game develops overall. I can see why having it a different venue each year might appeal, but I like the thought of it remaining in the same venue.
In the current climate, I'm not sure they would just build a new venue, but just as the Masters found Ally Pally and the UK found the Barbican, surely the WCs can find a new home somewhere?
New Home
posted on 7/5/24
How big is the Manchester Central Complex - could just do a swap with the Crucible.................
posted on 7/5/24
I think in an ideal world the Crucible would be rebuilt, bigger, and purposely redesigned for snooker. Although that wont be very appealing for the other 11 months of the year.
I would be open to it alternating between the Crucible and a venue in China. The 2 biggest markets in the game.
Saudi can f off until they actually have a proven track record and some kind of heritage in the game.
posted on 7/5/24
The only way I could see a purpose built snooker venue being built is if it incorporated some type of snooker museum and maybe moved its HQ there etc. Otherwise it would make more sense to use a 'general events building' which has worked for other tournaments.
The shared idea could work, but I can imagine it being in an amazing bit in China with great facilities etc, and players would complain even more about the Crucible. Also would you have a different sponsor for each country - you might end up with more prize money for the China event, which wouldn't go well.
posted on 7/5/24
Snooker seniors tomorrow! I'd like a rebuilt Crucible, but can't see it, hope it can stay in Sheffield
posted on 7/5/24
Also would prefer a rebuilt Crucible, but can’t see it either. I can understand the need for better practice facilities, but I don’t really buy the “too small attendance” argument at just under 1,000. The UK champs only has 1,500, and the Masters just under 2,000 (I think) and is noisy as feck. You can’t really have much bigger than those and still see a 12 foot by 6 foot table without binoculars! Gate receipts are surely a drop in the ocean anyway, whether it’s current size or double that … in the context of the overall revenue generation from sponsors, TV money etc? Hearn basically just wants to take it to whichever country/state pays (him) the most … that’s the real driver!
posted on 7/5/24
comment by _Viva_Vida (U6044)
posted 5 hours, 20 minutes ago
I think in an ideal world the Crucible would be rebuilt, bigger, and purposely redesigned for snooker. Although that wont be very appealing for the other 11 months of the year.
I would be open to it alternating between the Crucible and a venue in China. The 2 biggest markets in the game.
Saudi can f off until they actually have a proven track record and some kind of heritage in the game.
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we are talking about the Hearns heritage isn't important when millions in their pocket is an option.
It's not for me to decide but I really dislike him effectively holding Sheffield council to ransom and demanding tax payers build him an arena. Even if they did he'd still be off.
I think the WST is in a dangerous place when Barry (while I don't think he's great) eventually decides to step down and the snooker tour will be Eddie's plaything.
I think at the moment Snooker has larger problems with a lack of talent coming through
posted on 7/5/24
I've been to the Masters final and didn't think it was that noisy. If you doubled the capacity, 1000 extra seats over 17 days, I reckon that's a fair whack of money, to be fair.
I just feel that the WCs should be at the biggest and best venue. No doubt if it does move, people will say it's not the same etc, but it will create its own atmosphere etc once people get use to it - it's the WCs after all and you will still get that tension, wherever you play it. I think Hearn has been realistic, money is of course a driver, but it still has to be in a great venue.
As Steve Davis said, snooker 'found' the Crucible, it can find a new venue
posted on 8/5/24
Slightly off topic but I was watching the end of the 2004 UK final on YouTube where Maguire beat Gray.
In that tournament, I think the top 8 were all beaten by the quarters.
So they predicted a top 8 for 2009 and to be fair, got many correct. Most had Maguire as 1, Ronnie as 2, Higgins, Williams and Hendry were also in many top 8. They also had Ding and Judd in many of them and some picked Robbo, Murphy and one picked Carter I think. Most picked Hunter as well which was sad to watch. No one picked Selby or Dott surprisingly even both had reached ranking finals.
posted on 10/5/24
comment by JustTrue (U13155)
posted 1 day, 18 hours ago
Slightly off topic but I was watching the end of the 2004 UK final on YouTube where Maguire beat Gray.
In that tournament, I think the top 8 were all beaten by the quarters.
So they predicted a top 8 for 2009 and to be fair, got many correct. Most had Maguire as 1, Ronnie as 2, Higgins, Williams and Hendry were also in many top 8. They also had Ding and Judd in many of them and some picked Robbo, Murphy and one picked Carter I think. Most picked Hunter as well which was sad to watch. No one picked Selby or Dott surprisingly even both had reached ranking finals.
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I have always considered Selby a bit of a late developer, in terms of when he made the step up to one of the top players, so maybe back then they couldn't quite see it.
I think Dott has always been under-rated, even after he won his world title
posted on 16/5/24
https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/world-championship/2023-2024/huge-12500-capacity-venue-in-sheffield-t
Anyone think this a compromise that could work?