'Odds-on' - Hearn tips 2029 Worlds to stay in UK

Barry Hearn's Matchroom Sport company has had a controlling stake in World Snooker since 2010 Barry Hearn has said he expects the 2029 World Snooker Championship to remain in the United Kingdom when Sheffield's Crucible Theatre is redeveloped. It was announced in March that the sport's biggest tournament, which has been held at the small but atmospheric venue since 1977, would remain there until 2045. However, linked to that is a deal that means the theatre will be redeveloped, with 500 seats added to take the capacity up to about 1,500.

While that happens, the tournament in 2029 and maybe in 2030 will have to be staged elsewhere, with China, which already hosts numerous ranking events, tipped as a potential destination. "If I was a gambling man I would go odds-on it stays in the UK," said Hearn, the president of Matchroom Sport, which has owned a controlling stake in World Snooker since 2010. "But being the money man I am, if the right offer comes in I will have to consider it.

"Great Britain is the home of snooker, it is where we grew up as a sport, and I'm very loath to move it anywhere else. " There are a number of factors for snooker's leaders to bear in mind, including sponsorship and broadcasters' wishes. "I have a great relationship with the BBC and you don't want to take it anywhere that has a different time zone.

There are opportunities to take it elsewhere, but these opportunities come with downsides," Hearn said. "As much as I love the Crucible, it's getting a bit aged - it was becoming not fit for purpose and money needed to be spent. It's a one or two-year gap, but everyone will put pressure on to make it just one year away.