New dates announced for World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible

The tournament, which takes place at the Crucible Theatre, will run from July 31 to August 16, subject to approval.

Snooker’s biggest tournament was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic but following discussions with key stakeholders including Sheffield City Council, the BBC, Eurosport and Sheffield Theatres, new dates for the World Snooker Championship have been agreed.

The dates for the qualifying rounds have yet to be confirmed.

Organisers’ preference is to stage the event with a full crowd inside the iconic Crucible Theatre, which seats an audience of just under 1,000 spectators.

But if that is not possible, they will consider playing with a reduced crowd or even behind closed doors. Another postponement has not been ruled out, organisers said.

All matches will be shown on the BBC.

WST Chairman Barry Hearn said: “Our sincere hope is that we are able to play the tournament with a full crowd as usual.

“This event means so much to the fans who have a golden ticket for the Crucible experience, and to the people of Sheffield. The players will desperately want to compete in the atmosphere that only a packed Crucible can generate.”

Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture parks and leisure at Sheffield City Council, added: “The World Snooker Championship is one of Sheffield’s annual highlights, something the city looks forward to and is immensely proud of.

“I’m pleased that the Championship has been rescheduled and I really hope that it can be celebrated at the Crucible Theatre in true Sheffield style, when it is safe to do so. We will continue to work with WST and support all decisions taken, to help them deliver the competition whilst keeping everyone safe.”

Tickets for the tournament’s final stages will be automatically transferred to the new dates.

The Crucible Theatre said all ticket holders will receive information about their booking via email and they should not contact the venue’s box office.