Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre has hosted the World Snooker Championship since 1977.
The tournament moved to the Crucible after earlier editions were staged at several venues. Its compact auditorium, intense atmosphere and distinctive setting quickly became closely associated with the modern championship.
The first Crucible edition in 1977 was won by John Spencer, who defeated Cliff Thorburn in the final. The venue has since become one of snooker’s most recognisable locations, even though qualifying matches are generally played elsewhere.
People sometimes say that the Crucible has hosted every World Championship, but that is not correct. The championship existed long before 1977, and the event’s early history includes venues in England, Australia and elsewhere. The accurate milestone is the start of the Crucible era in 1977.