Snooker Superstar Ronnie O’Sullivan Proposes Major Venue Upgrades to Keep World Championship in Sheffield

In an effort to maintain its position as the venue for the World Championship, Ronnie O’Sullivan has shared his thoughts on how to enhance the Crucible. Since 1977, snooker’s premier event has been held at the Sheffield-based venue, but its contract is set to be renewed in 2027, sparking speculation about a potential move. Matchroom Sport’s president, Barry Hearn, has indicated that improvements must be made to the venue in order to keep the World Championship in Sheffield.

Hearn mentioned that changes were made for the 2024 tournament, but he believes further upgrades are necessary to improve the experience for players. O’Sullivan concurred and offered his own suggestions for improvements. He stated that the venue is somewhat dated and could benefit from updates and better facilities for players. O’Sullivan suggested including relaxation rooms, more practice tables, showers, and a modern dressing room. He also praised the recent addition of courtesy cars for players, which has made their experience more comfortable.

Despite acknowledging recent improvements, O’Sullivan emphasized the need for even more enhancements to meet the needs of players. He stressed the importance of creating a player-friendly environment and suggested a complete redesign of the venue with help from an interior designer or architect to make it bigger, better, and more up-to-date. O’Sullivan’s wish list includes additional amenities such as relaxation rooms, practice tables and modern dressing rooms. By making these changes, the Crucible could become an even more inviting and accommodating venue for both players and spectators alike, ensuring its place as home to snooker’s premier event.