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Neil Robertson has suggested snooker players might be better off if the World Championship was relocated from the Crucible Theatre. The legendary Sheffield venue has hosted the tournament since 1977, but discussions about a potential move have emerged ahead of the current contract's expiry in 2027.

While the Crucible holds a cherished place in the sport's history, some players have voiced concerns about its outdated facilities. Others argue that switching venues could lead to significantly higher prize money, particularly after the World Darts Championship saw its top prize doubled from £500,000 to £1million.

Robertson reckons snooker has little hope of matching such increases while remaining at the Crucible, which has a maximum capacity of just 980 spectators. Via the Express, he said: "One million pounds for the world champion would be nice, wouldn't it?

"Yeah it'd be good, but I mean it's not going to happen while we're playing in an arena with 900-odd fans allowed in, right? It's just as simple as that. If we want to play for a million pound-plus to the winner, we need to move. If we don't move, we're going to be stuck.

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"We've got to move. Could you imagine if Lords could only hold like 5,000 people? How well would the darts do at Ally Pally if there's only 2,000 allowed in? If the money can't come in then it's not going to change."

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Saudi Arabia has emerged as the frontrunner to host the World Championship if it leaves the Crucible after 2027, though Qatar has also been mooted in the past. Saudi has expanded its sports remit considerably in recent years, hosting a slew of high-profile boxing and darts events.

Snooker is no different, with the WST taking its show there in the form of the Saudi Masters. And Robertson is certain the World Championship will be relocated there in the near future as well.

"The fairytale, the dream, is to have a new Crucible built," he continued. "But I don't think Sheffield Council are going to come up with £15m to £20m to build a new building.

"I think next year we're going to be off, probably to Saudi or something. We won't go to China because of the TV contracts and stuff, and the time difference makes it tough for them.

"So, yeah, we'll be off after 2027 unless something amazing kind of happens. It would be a shame to go."

The Australian showed his sympathy for those young, emerging players who are yet to make their World Championship debuts. And there's a chance some on the cusp of hitting the big time will never get to experience the Crucible in all its greatness.

He added: "I mean, talking to some of the younger guys like Louis Heathcote, if it moved and he never got to walk down those stairs at the Crucible, as a player, he'd be absolutely gutted. And I totally get that if someone's never played there before.

"Look, I really want it to stay in the UK, 100 per cent. I'm not going to make any secrets about that. But, you know, the venue's got to get sorted out because it's outdated by 30 years."