Snooker’s Crucible 2 plan
Historic venue is set to copy Wimbledon layout
WORLD Snooker Championship organisers are considering a new 3,000-seat arena to stage the tour-nament alongside the Crucible.
Jason Ferguson, chair of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, is in talks with architect James Burland, who has come up with a design for a purpose-built venue with a bridge linking it to the event’s existing theatre home.
The idea is for the new building to act as a ‘Crucible 2’, with matches spread across there and the old arena like Wimbledon’s Centre Court and No 1 Court.
The plan comes amid criticism from players about the limited capacity and facilities of the 980-seat Crucible, which has hosted the tournament since 1977 and has a contract until 2027.
‘This is a concept to try and grow the event,’ Ferguson told Sportsmail. ‘We have no intention of moving from Sheffield, it is our home. But we know we need to be looking at around 3,000 seats for the World Championship now.
‘Events like the Masters are growing so much and the danger is that the World Championship starts to look smaller, which it can’t because it’s the Crown Jewels of what we do. This is not the only route but it’s a concept James has come up with. Can the Crucible be a dual site?’
Burland, along with entrepreneur Peter Bainbridge, proposed a ‘Billiardrome’ almost 20 years ago when Sheffield was fighting off bids to host snooker’s premier event from rival cities. It is those plans that have been revived.
‘We have been discussing what it could look like,’ said Ferguson. ‘He has been up here speaking to people, building up a picture of what the perfect outcome looks like. His initial sketch has got some great ideas in it.’
Burland, who helped design Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, said: ‘The second venue doesn’t have to be a replacement, it can be an adjunct. It makes the whole event easier to run, with more facilities.’
Burland’s building is earmarked for the site of Sheffield’s old Roxy Disco, which is now the O2 Academy, with a bridge to the Crucible over Arundel Gate.
The main auditorium would be round and divided into three tiers — upper and lower spectator levels, with corporate and media seating in the middle. Burland’s concept includes a snooker museum at the spiral entrance, a giant screen wrapping round the outside of the building and TV studios on the roof.
The ground floor would be a practice area and could also stage World Championship qualifiers.
‘I like the idea you are scrapping it out to get a position in the colosseum above,’ said Burland. ‘Then the Holy of Holies is to win and go across the bridge to play.’
The arena could convert from 3,000 to 1,500 seats, with folding tables for conferences, and could also host concerts and other sports such as boxing and table tennis. During his recent visit to Sheffield, Burland spoke to snooker legends such as Steve Davis and John Parrott.
‘These guys have 40 years of experience,’ said Burland. ‘History is hugely important. You don’t want to lose what the Crucible has got, just make it better.
‘That is why I am looking at it from the point of view of the atmosphere first.’