Copyright walesonline
Kyren Wilson has insisted he would accept a cut in prize money if it guaranteed the World Championship stayed at the Crucible The venue for snooker's premier tournament is up in the air , with the iconic Sheffield theatre's hosting deal set to conclude in 2027. Barry Hearn, Matchroom's president and de facto head of the World Snooker Tour (WST), is considering relocating the championship to a larger, more modern facility. Hearn has contended that the Crucible, accommodating fewer than 1,000 spectators, no longer meets modern requirements. Concerns have emerged that the tournament might relocate to Saudi Arabia, which now stages two tournaments. That prospect wouldn't satisfy most snooker enthusiasts, who have highlighted the subdued atmosphere and sparse attendance at the Saudi events. Wilson, who won the 2024 world title, has expressed his position by stating he would willingly accept halved prize money to preserve the tournament at the South Yorkshire venue. Speaking to TNT Sports during the current Northern Ireland Open, he said: "It's a really difficult one. I've played out in Saudi recently. I think it's a fantastic area to go and play snooker, but you just can't replicate the Crucible. "I would honestly rather have half the prize money and stay at the Crucible, that's how much I enjoy it there. But I want the game to grow. I can see if it goes elsewhere, everybody else is going to have to up their game. "I can see the benefits for the sport, but also I love having the family there, the crowds from the UK coming and supporting. In an ideal world, just make the Crucible bigger." The World Championship boasts a prize fund of just under £2.4million, with the champion collecting £500,000 and the runner-up receiving £200,000. Hearn, who has conducted encouraging discussions with Sheffield City Council, hasn't dismissed the possibility of the tournament remaining at the Crucible but is keen to see it expanded and updated. WST chairman Steve Dawson recently spoke about the Crucible's future, suggesting a final decision could be reached in the next few months. He said: "We talking with Sheffield and we're having constructive conversations. Hopefully we'll have something to share in December but these things take a long time." He added: "I think we'll have more information by the end of the year but it's a very complex issue." Meanwhile, on the table, Wilson progressed to the second round in Belfast following a narrow 4-3 triumph over Oliver Lines. World No. 1 Judd Trump has also advanced to round two after dispatching Welsh star Jackson Page 4-2.
