How snooker became the latest sport lured by Saudi Arabia’s riches – so is it the end for the Crucible?

On my tombstone will not be written: ‘This is the man who took the world championship away from the Crucible’. It’s staying and it don’t matter how much [money] is involved.”

Those words were spoken by former World Snooker Tour (WST) chairman Barry Hearn in 2017, on the BBC's documentary The Crucible: 40 Golden Snooker Years. Everyone’s entitled to change course or their mind in life. But the difference in attitudes just seven years later is stark.

Hearn, now supposedly retired but doing a very good impression of someone who isn’t, was back on the BBC this week. He was introduced as the president of Matchroom Sport – his sports promotion company is the majority shareholder in the WST – to talk about the uncertain future of the Crucible Theatre as the host of the world championship after its current contract runs out in 2027.

“I’ll stay here while we’re wanted,” he said. “I think we’re wanted by Sheffield but we’ve said we need a new venue that seats 2,500-3,000 people. I’m looking for Sheffield to come to the party. If they do, we’re staying, and if they don’t, they’re really saying to me that we don’t want you. So it’s not really my call.”

When asked if money came before history and heritage, Hearn answered: “Trust me, money has the edge every time. We live in the real world.”

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So, what has changed since 2017? Some insist it’s simply a case of events in the interim, none more significant than the Covid pandemic. It’s certainly logical to conclude that when a company that puts on sporting events is told there won’t be any – none with paying punters anyway – it will concentrate minds on future plans.

Then there’s the key player in all this, Saudi Arabia. The new capital of world sport, or so it seems. Matchroom has been staging its big boxing events there for years now. And it’s far from alone in wanting in on the country’s untold riches.

The Fifa World Cup is set to go to Saudi Arabia in 2034. The WTA Finals in tennis will be there for the next three years. In golf, the Saudi-backed LIV Tour continues to create seismic divisions wherever it goes, while making some rebel players rich beyond reason.

Those in charge of snooker might be forgiven for thinking: “Why shouldn’t we join the party?” It’s not as if the sport is anywhere near as affluent as football, tennis or golf. They’re barely in the same stratosphere: many of the 128 tour professionals are struggling financially.

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And so the world’s leading players went to Saudi Arabia last month for a lucrative invitational event, the World Masters of Snooker. The tournament was hailed by officials as a success, despite a virtually empty arena early on and often ludicrous television broadcasts that were more advertorial than serious sports coverage. Snooker will return for a ranking event next season.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world champion, has signed an ambassadorial deal with Saudi which will see him play in events there for the next three years. On the prospect of the world championship moving there from the Crucible, he said last week: “I think Saudi Arabia could get hold of this tournament, grab it by the scruff of the neck and turn it into a Wimbledon or a French Open or US Open, and really make it a super event.”

Amnesty International and others have voiced their deep disapproval at the sport going to a country with such a poor human rights record, with snooker being told it is now complicit in “sportswashing”.

And the fans, by and large, don’t appear to be in favour. Plenty have said they simply don’t recognise snooker any more. Their feelings are likely to have been heightened by Hearn’s words on the Crucible this week. Let’s be honest, it does feel like a goodbye could well be on the cards.

How realistic is it that Sheffield Council, in troubling economic times, will dig deep to fund a new arena to replace the 980-capacity Crucible? Fair enough, during these 17 days, the place is buzzing. But the tables and cues will soon be packed away and Sheffield will be back to normal for 50 weeks. What is the city supposed to do with its new 3,000-seater venue then?

The importance of the Crucible, home to the World Snooker Championship since 1977, in the sport’s history can’t be overplayed. Most of the truly iconic moments in the last half century have happened inside that building. For many fans, going there every spring isn’t just a trip or a visit but a pilgrimage. Leaving will be a real wrench.

It’s hard not to think that Saudi Arabia is a potential future host. You may have noticed the words “Riyadh Season” are plastered all over the Crucible this year, the result of a new partnership between Saudi’s state-funded sports and entertainment festival and the tournament.

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Barry Hearn is passing the torch over to his son Eddie, who is now the chairman of Matchroom. The younger Hearn, by his own admission, doesn’t have anything like the same feelings towards snooker as his old man does. If the prospect of new money for the sport talks loudly for dad, you can be sure it will shout and scream for his son.

Some players will welcome a move from Sheffield for big money. Some of the Crucible’s staunchest defenders seem to be singing a different tune this year. Those at the top end of the game believe they’re undervalued financially. Hence the strong speculation lately of a breakaway tour – something Hearn was at pains to play down this week.

Those star names might well be right, too. It feels like snooker is on the up. Crowds at most events are excellent. Millions still watch on television. There are reasons to feel positive. But the big question remains as to where its flagship tournament – the one that hooked many fans on the game in the first place – will be played in future.