The Strategy and Resources Policy Committee has decided to secure the hosting of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield for up to 20 years.

URL: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5039

Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: 12.1 The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive outlining that the Council is seeking approval to secure the continued hosting of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield following the expiry of the current arrangements in 2027.  It was noted that an additional appendix 6 and revised covering report, containing an additional recommendation in respect of compliance with the Subsidy Control Act, had been published and circulated. The proposed arrangements would provide for an initial term of 15 years, with the option to extend for a further five years by mutual agreement, subject to the future redevelopment of the Crucible Theatre. The proposed arrangements would require the Council to enter into a new Staging Agreement with World Snooker Limited (WSL). This has been developed following detailed commercial, financial and legal due diligence and seeks to balance the Council’s financial commitment with opportunities for future commercial growth and wider economic benefit and we are now at the stage to be able to ask the Committee to agree that we should continue to host the World Snooker Championships.     .2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-       (a) endorses the continued hosting of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield in 2028 and for 15 years following completion of the refurbishment of the Crucible with an option to extend for a further 5 years;   (b) approves the Council proceeding on proposed commercial, financial and operational terms for the future hosting of the Championship, as outlined in this report and the exempt appendices;   (c) notes that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial and the General Counsel will:   (i)   Finalise negotiations with World Snooker Limited; (ii)  Agree the final terms of the Staging Agreement and associated contractual documentation; (iii)  Agree the final terms of the Venue Hire Agreement between SCC and STT and associated documentation; (iv)Agree any ancillary agreements arising from SCC’s obligations in the new Staging Agreement; (v)  Agree any necessary amendments to the commercial model, financial arrangements and governance provisions, provided such amendments remain within the overall policy and financial framework approved by Committee;   (d) notes and accepts the evidence and assessment contained in Closed Appendix 6 and this forms the evidential basis upon which it has been concluded that the proposed arrangements comply with section 3(2) of the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and do not constitute a subsidy because they do not confer an economic advantage on World Snooker Limited;   (e) delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial and the General Counsel, to take all necessary steps to implement the Committee’s decision, that are not already delegated, including the execution of all legal agreements and associated documentation required to give effect to the recommendations;   (f) notes that the Council will enter into a direct contractual arrangement with World Snooker Limited, as the holder of the exclusive commercial and intellectual property rights required to stage the World Snooker Championship and the implications, as set out in the report; and   (g) notes that any future decisions relating to the proposed redevelopment of the Crucible Theatre, associated capital funding arrangements or material changes to the approved financial framework will be subject to separate governance and approval processes as required.     12.3 Reasons for Decision     12.3.1 The World Snooker Championship is one of Sheffield's most significant sporting and cultural assets and has been hosted at the Crucible Theatre since 1977. The Championship contributes substantially to Sheffield's economy, international reputation, visitor economy and cultural identity and has become synonymous with the city over almost five decades.     12.3.2 Without a new agreement there is a significant risk that the Championship could relocate from Sheffield following the expiry of the current arrangements in 2027, resulting in the loss of substantial economic, social, cultural and reputational benefits. The loss of the Championship would also undermine Sheffield's long-established position as the home of snooker and weaken a major contributor to the city's visitor economy and international profile.     12.3.3 The recommendations provide a framework to secure the continued hosting of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield for up to 20 years, creating long-term certainty for the Council, World Snooker Limited, Sheffield Theatres Trust and other stakeholders. This certainty will support future investment decisions, enable venue improvements to be aligned with event requirements and facilitate the development of longer-term visitor economy, cultural and city centre activation initiatives linked to the Championship.     12.3.4 The proposal aligns with existing Council priorities and represents the delivery of established Council policy, including ambitions set out through the Council Plan and Major Events Strategy. It will help ensure that Sheffield continues to benefit from a globally recognised event that delivers economic growth, enhances the city's reputation and supports wider cultural and community outcomes.     12.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     12.4.1 Alternative Option 1; Do nothing: Not recommended. The Council could choose not to enter into a new Staging Agreement following the expiry of the current arrangements in 2027. This option was not recommended because it would create a significant risk that the World Snooker Championship would relocate from Sheffield. The loss of the Championship would result in the loss of substantial economic, cultural and reputational benefits for the city and would undermine Sheffield's long-established position as the home of snooker. In addition, Sheffield Theatres Trust would lose an important income stream associated with hosting the Championship, potentially increasing financial pressures on the Trust and creating a greater risk of future financial support being required from the Council.     12.4.2 5.2.    Alternative Option 2; Secure a shorter-term agreement: Not recommended.   A shorter-term agreement was considered as an alternative to the proposed long-term arrangements. This option was not recommended because the scale of investment and partnership required to secure the future of the Championship and support the future development of the Crucible Theatre requires longer-term certainty. A shorter-term arrangement would reduce confidence for all parties, limit opportunities for future investment and restrict the ability to maximise long-term economic, commercial and visitor economy benefits.     12.4.3 Alternative Option 3; Undertake a competitive procurement process: Not recommended.   The Council considered whether a competitive procurement process could be undertaken. This option was not recommended because World Snooker Limited holds the exclusive commercial and intellectual property rights necessary to stage the World Snooker Championship and is the only organisation able to grant the rights required for Sheffield to continue hosting the event. A competitive procurement process would therefore not be capable of securing the same event and an alternative snooker event would not be capable of delivering the same outcomes.     12.4.4 5.4.    Alternative Option 4; Seek to replace the Championship with alternative major events: Not recommended.   The Council could choose to focus on attracting alternative major events rather than seeking to retain the World Snooker Championship. This option was not recommended because no alternative event offers the same combination of heritage, international profile, established association with Sheffield and long-term economic impact as the World Snooker Championship. Whilst the Council will continue to pursue opportunities to develop its wider major events portfolio, alternative events would not provide an equivalent replacement for the economic, cultural and reputational benefits generated by the Championship.  

Date of Decision: July 16, 2026