Sheffield City Council has formally signed a contract guaranteeing the World Snooker Championship will remain at the Crucible Theatre for at least another 15 years, with an option to extend to 2050.
The deal, approved unanimously by the council's Strategy and Resources Committee, follows earlier confirmation this year that the tournament would stay in the city. It comes ahead of the championship's 50th anniversary at the venue next year.
Council chief executive Kate Josephs said the Crucible and the tournament had become ‘inseparable’ over five decades, calling the agreement ‘fantastic news’ for Sheffield's economy and reputation.
World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson said the sport had ‘an incredible history’ with the city.
The championship currently generates about £6.5m a year for the local economy, a figure officials say could rise to £208m in total impact if the agreement runs to 2050.
