Snooker Must Match Darts Money: Barry Hearn Gives Sheffield and the Crucible Three-Month Ultimatum

As the first semi-final between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Si Jiahui gets underway at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn made his annual visit to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. 

With uncertainty looming over the venue’s future, Hearn offered a candid update on the tournament, its long-term home, and how snooker compares financially to darts.

While Hearn has stepped down from day-to-day operations, Matchroom Sport remains at the centre of the snooker and darts world. His son Eddie Hearn now chairs the PDC, while long-time ally Steve Dawson is leading the World Snooker Tour (WST) as chairman.

But the key talking point continues to be the Crucible’s future as host of the World Championship, with its current contract expiring in 2027.

Crucible on notice: Sheffield given three-month deadline

Hearn confirmed he met with members of Sheffield City Council on the morning of his visit to discuss the possibility of extending the Crucible deal. While encouraged by the talks, he has issued a firm deadline for action.

“There wasn't anything particularly confidential about it. It was more an exchange of views of where both sides are. And I have to say straight away, I was impressed with the passion and commitment that Sheffield Council have got for snooker. And I think they were very pleased to hear that we share that passion.”

“We view the Crucible as the home of snooker, but again, we have to live in the real world. So, we had a very open meeting. We agreed to meet in another three months with a view to knowing exactly where we are by the end of this year.”

“The pressure is on, it's one of those things, both sides are really happy here with each other, but we can't turn away from the realities of sports life, which is centred around prize money. And we have to do something big for the players because they deserve it.”

Snooker falling behind darts in the money game

As the PDC continues to ride a wave of popularity, especially with the rise of Luke Littler, Sky Sports has signed a blockbuster £125 million broadcast deal over five years. That has allowed the PDC to increase prize money — with £1 million set to go to the 2026 World Darts Champion.

Hearn admitted he worries that keeping the snooker championship in Sheffield could prevent the sport from matching those financial strides.

“As much as it sounds pretty barbaric, it all comes down to pound notes. You know, we had a great response with our darts business, which has done so well over the last few years. The players deserved it, and they got it. And darts players are gonna be multimillionaires and snooker needs to catch 'em up.”

“And I think they will in the next year or so, hopefully, if all goes well, we can be surprised and start thinking about a million-pound first prize instead of 500,000 for snooker as well. And that's clearly on the agenda as quickly as we can.”

Snooker doesn’t get the respect it deserves

Hearn believes the global reach of the World Championship — with a reported 400 million viewers — isn’t reflected in either the prize pot or the esteem in which it is held by wider sporting bodies and broadcasters.

“This event's gonna be seen by 400 million people. Does it get the respect? And, and part of that respect is the prize money levels."

“This is the big event in the same way as darts has got their world championships. And the winner deserves to get something extraordinary and deserves to have that in ranking points. So, the world champion needs to be number one or close to being number one in the world.”

“I think both of us agree that this is something where Sheffield can only go so far, but with government assistance it can go further, and it can be maintained. So, the onus is still on Sheffield to come up with something in line with government in line with our thinking of where the game stands in terms of prestige and respect.”

“This is a major event in England, a major event. And yet the prize money is now in near where I want it to be. So, everyone understands each other's side's problems. Fingers crossed the government understand the significance of this event remaining in the UK and remaining in Sheffield.”

Saudi Arabia lurking if Sheffield can’t deliver

While Hearn said there were other UK venues that had reached out, he made clear that Sheffield remains the top choice — if it can meet the financial demands. If not, Saudi Arabia looms as the likely alternative.

“No, there's several other venues who, who read what you guys write and say, oh, you know, if you're looking for more seats. But it's not just that. It's the atmosphere that's created, and it's the history and all those things,” he told SportsBoom.co.uk.

“You sometimes say, would you like to be in Riyad for the Snooker Championships? I'm not sure the atmosphere will be great… I'm sure they'll love it. There's three, four, 500 million people that watch it [on the TV], that give it a value, which we don't value ourselves at.”

Middle East investment transforming sport

Hearn pointed to Matchroom’s upcoming boxing event in Times Square, featuring stars like Teofimo Lopez, Arnold Barboza Jr, Devin Haney, and Ryan Garcia, as an example of Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in global sport—not just in the Middle East, but also in the US and UK.

“But you know, you've only gotta watch Friday night, the Saudis have rented Times Square and all the streets around it. I dunno what it costs millions upon millions. And they're giving the tickets away free 'cause they want to make a name, and they've got great fights.”

“These people are going into the business world. And it's not just the Saudis, it's the Qatar as well. It's the Bahrainis. We are hot property. Ronnie's Academy in Riyadh is doing great. Ronnie went over a couple of weeks ago, made three 147s in one night, and the kids are going mad for him.”

“This is like the beginning of a whole new market and who knows where it'll lead to. The difference is they pay, and they give me the power to be able to say, let's do this with a prize winner. Let's do that. And everyone goes, great.”

Still hope for Sheffield – with help from Westminster

Despite the external pressure, Hearn reiterated his preference to stay in Sheffield — but insisted government backing is essential to make the deal work.

“But we're locked in a period made by ourselves really. We've been super successful. The game is maybe taken for granted in some areas, but that's wrong because then when you do take someone for granted, you lose the relationship. Neither World Snooker nor Sheffield Council want that.”

“We’re both trying to move. I'm obviously prepared to stay here and be glad providing, I've got certain guarantees that give me the opportunity to reward the players.”

“You always aim to make everybody happy, but sometimes you don't. I'm much more positive today, having met them to see the enthusiasm they had and their plans. One can only hope they get the necessary support from other factions that enables them to deliver a package that World Snooker would find acceptable.”