Shaun Murphy believes the World Championship will stay in the UK but not necessarily at the Crucible (Image: Getty)
Shaun Murphy reckons the BBC’s new deal to show Triple Crown tournaments is the clearest indication yet that the will remain in the UK. The sport’s blue ribbon event has taken place at the Crucible in Sheffield since 1977.
With the iconic venue’s current deal to host the tournament expiring in 2027, there is talk of it leaving Sheffield and even the UK. Saudi Arabia and China have been touted as potential locations, with World Snooker Tour (WST) president Barry Hearn openly stating that the Crucible, which holds fewer than 1,000 fans, is not fit for purpose.
It was confirmed at the weekend that the to show the World Championship, the Masters and UK Championship until 2032. The news that the sport’s biggest events will stay on free-to-air TV has delighted snooker fans.
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It has also raised hopes that the World Championship could remain in the UK beyond 2027. Recently-crowned Masters champion who also works as a commentator, insists he has no inside knowledge of the World Championship’s future.
However, he believes the new TV deal is good news for those who want the tournament to stay in the UK. Speaking on his he said: “This is massive, I’m delighted about it.
“I don’t like rumour and conjecture. However, is this a clue over the future of the World Championship? I think it’s the biggest clue we’ve had so far. In terms of the Crucible’s future and the World Championship’s future, this is the biggest clue we’ve seen.”
Murphy also suggested hosting bids from the likes of Saudi and China have not been made. He added: “To my knowledge, there have been no bids from anywhere else.
Kyren Wilson after winning the 2024 World Championship at the Crucible (Image: Getty)
“I don’t think World Snooker are sat there with offers from Saudi, offers from China, offers from Dubai to bring the World Champs there in 2028 and onwards. So for the to go again until 2032, that’s a big clue, isn’t it? That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s staying at the Crucible.”
Podcast co-host Phil Seymour added: “I couldn’t see the signing up to this if there’s a chance the Worlds is leaving the UK, because the cost element, the time, the scheduling is massively different if it went to the Middle East or China. It would be huge.
“Whether it stays in Sheffield, whether it stays at the Crucible remains to be seen. Either way, it’s brilliant news.”