Barry Hearn has backed the World Snooker Championship to stay in the UK during the Crucible Theatre's redevelopment in 2029, despite speculation China could host the sport's flagship event. A March deal secured the tournament at Sheffield's iconic venue until 2045, with the theatre undergoing a £45m revamp to add 500 seats and increase capacity to around 1,500.

The 77-year-old Matchroom Sport president acknowledged the 2029 and possibly 2030 events must move temporarily, naming Alexandra Palace, Newcastle, Manchester, and Berlin's Tempodrom as potential hosts. However, he emphasized his preference for keeping the sport in Britain, where it originated. "If I was a gambling man I would go odds on it stays in the UK," Hearn said. National and local government are supplying £35m of the redevelopment cost.

Hearn confirmed prize money will increase following the Crucible agreement, with the World Championship fund rising to £3m and the winner's prize climbing from £500,000 to £625,000 in 2027. The UK Championship prize fund will also increase from £1.2m to £1.5m. "By the time we come back here, we're at a level that snooker has never been close to," Hearn added.