Kyren Wilson willing to forfeit £250K in prize money as snooker ace makes intentions clear
Former world champion Kyren Wilson has made his feelings clear on the future of the World Championship with snooker bosses set to decide on its future
Kyren Wilson insists he would happily see prize money slashed if it meant the World Championship stayed at the Crucible. The future of the snooker’s biggest tournament is up in the air, with the Sheffield venue’s contract to host the event due to expire in 2027.
Matchroom president Barry Hearn, the effective controller of the World Snooker Tour (WST), is weighing up moving the tournament to a bigger, more modern venue. Hearn has argued that the Crucible, which has fewer than 1,000 seats, is no longer fit for purpose.
There have been fears that the tournament could move to Saudi Arabia, which now hosts two lucrative tournaments a year. However, that wouldn’t please most snooker fans, who have pointed to the lack of atmosphere and low crowds at the Saudi events.
Wilson, the 2024 world champion, has made his feelings clear on the matter by insisting he would happily see prize money halved if it meant staying at the iconic South Yorkshire theatre. He told TNT Sports at the current Northern Ireland Open: “It’s a really difficult one. I’ve played out in Saudi recently. I think it’s a fantastic area to go and play snooker, but you just can’t replicate the Crucible.
“I would honestly rather have half the prize money and stay at the Crucible, that’s how much I enjoy it there. But I want the game to grow. I can see if it goes elsewhere, everybody else is going to have to up their game.
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The World Championship has a prize fund of just under £2.4million, with the winner scooping £500,000 and the runner-up getting £200,000.
Hearn, who has held positive talks with Sheffield City Council, hasn’t ruled out the tournament staying at the Crucible but wants to see it expanded and modernised. WST chairman Steve Dawson recently addressed the future of the Crucible, saying a final decision could be made before the end of the year.
“We are talking with Sheffield and we’re having constructive conversations,” said Dawson. “Hopefully we’ll have something to share in December but these things take a long time.”
He added: “I think we’ll have more information by the end of the year but it’s a very complex issue.”
On the table, Wilson edged into the second round in Belfast with a 4-3 victory over Oliver Lines. World No.1 Judd Trump is also through to round two after seeing off Jackson Page 4-2.