Crucible Theatre: Hossein Vafaei says Sheffield venue 'smells' and the World Championship should move elsewhere

The World Championship is played with two tables in the tight Crucible venue up until the semi-final phase, when it becomes a one-table set-up

Iran's Hossein Vafaei has criticised the Crucible Theatre, saying the venue "smells really bad", the practice room is like a "garage" and the World Championship should move elsewhere.

The Crucible, which only holds 980 people, has staged snooker's biggest competition every year since 1977.

Its current deal expires in three years with many believing the event should then move from its Sheffield base.

"Should I be honest? Are you enjoying being here?" asked the 29-year-old.

"History is very important but nobody invests any money in this historical venue. You want to go somewhere really nice. If you walk around the Crucible it smells really bad. I'm honest. Everything is so bad."

Vafaei has played at the Crucible in each of the past three years and lost 10-5 to world number two Judd Trump in the first round of the 2024 competition on Sunday.

But the Iranian would prefer the event to be held in either China or Saudi Arabia, a country that staged its first snooker tournament in March with the World Masters of Snooker.

"You go to other top venues in other countries and you can see how nice they treat you, how nice everything is and it is so shiny and completely different," added Vafaei. "If you ask me do I want to come back here, the answer is no.

"The practice room? Do you see anything special about it? It feels like I'm practicing in a garage and that's not good. I'm coming here from a different country to see that. I'm sorry I have to tell the truth."

The current contract to host the World Championship ends in 2027

Asked if the game would develop by going to China or Saudi Arabia, Vafaei replied: "100%. Look at China and how they organise their tournaments, fantastic, how they treat the players with the red carpet, opening ceremony.

"The players are feeling like stars but here nobody looks after the players, after the match, before the match here, no-one cares who you are. In China everything is different, Saudi Arabia everything is probably going to be different."

The issue of where future World Championships should be held has been a key talking point at this year's competition and Vafaei was open to it staying in the United Kingdom, but only if the venue was improved.

He said: "If they don't want to lose the Crucible, invest some money - make it shinier, make it nicer, more luxury for the people, if they make it cleaner and nicer people would enjoy it. Why do you have to find a reason to move it?"

In response to Vafaei's comments, a statement from World Snooker Tour said: "The Crucible is a historic venue and there are limitations given the size of the backstage areas. We work with the Crucible to make it as welcoming as possible for players."

Move away from the Crucible 'inevitable' - Higgins

Four-time World Championship winner John Higgins thinks it is "inevitable" the competition will move away from its Crucible home.

"Thirty years coming here from the first time to walking in now, it's still the same buzz," said the Scot. "The history, the special moments, the tears, the heartache, the joy, the Crucible has been a big part of my life and I will be sad when it goes."

The World Championship has been held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield every year since 1977

Higgins, the 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011 winner, added: "It's inevitable it will move. It has been an unbelievable place to play snooker and I've been lucky enough to win the event. It just feels the sport is bigger than one venue to hold the World Championship.

"People will be looking at the bottom line, whether it's Sheffield City Council giving more money or Saudi Arabia or China, it will come down to who offers the most."

'I would love it to stay at the Crucible'

England's Shaun Murphy, who won the tournament as a 22-year-old in 2005, hoped they could find a way to keep it where it is.

He said: "I would love it to stay here. I remember walking up these stairs as a nine-year-old in 1992 coming to watch Peter Ebdon make his debut against Steve Davis and it has been so special ever since.

"As a player you know all those iconic snooker moments happened in that arena and it's a very special place for the players and fans that flock here ever year."

But Murphy, who leads 6-3 against China's Lyu Haotian, admitted the game did have to adapt.

"It's our biggest event in possibly our smallest venue and those things don't go together well," added the 41-year-old. "Will it move? I don't know, I hope not but I don't know."