'You're gonna need a bigger Crucible' – Barry Hearn keen to rebuild iconic venue for World Snooker Championship

The World Championship can safeguard its long-term future in Sheffield by building a bigger Crucible Theatre to host the event, according to former World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn. WST are halfway through a 10-year agreement to stage the sport's blue-chip event at the 980-seat venue and do not pay any rent to Sheffield City Council to hold the tournament over 17 days in April and May with all profit from tickets being ploughed back into the sport's main commercial organisation.

Ad/> Hearn admits he is «totally committed» to staying in Sheffield, but would like to see the local area adapt to the need for a larger venue that could potentially attract greater hospitality for fans and sponsorship. World Championship'Not a matter of if, but when' – Wilson on why he is destined to rule world2 HOURS AGO Judd Trump and Neil Robertson are two former world champions who are keen to move with the times to enhance snooker's standing with both players wanting to replicate the atmosphere of the Masters at Alexandra Palace in London which can house 2,000 fans for a session.

The thirst for greater numbers would involve leaving the Crucible, but Hearn has cautioned against such a move despite the cramped nature of the iconic theatre, home of the tournament since 1977. “I have always said in my lifetime we will never be moving.

But I would challenge Sheffield Council, as I am doing, why don’t we evaluate the idea of building a new Crucible in Sheffield, which is bigger, and then we get the best of both worlds," said Hearn in the Yorkshire Post. «That’s what I shall I be aiming for.

/> »It’s called history, it’s called reputation, if you want to be modern, it’s called brand value. «It’s not just a question of a few extra bums on