World Snooker Championship kicks off in Sheffield as businesses expect big boost
Beyond The Crucible, small venues and local clubs are seeing a welcome lift from visiting fans as the Snooker World Championship kicks off today
The Crucible starts to welcome thousands of fans from across the world today, as Sheffield hosts the 2025 World Snooker Championship.
The tournament attracts around 12,000 fans from all over the world each year. It's a major moment, not just for the sport, but for the city itself, which has been home to the event for more than four decades.
It's also an event that attracts locals, and tourists to see other parts of Sheffield- that includes local businesses who tend to thrive at this time of year.
Dan Kirkland is the owner of one of Sheffield's most original snooker clubs, 'Spot On', and says the Championship brings a real buzz to the area, whilst shining a spotlight on the city's rich snooker heritage:
"We get people coming from not just around the country, but other countries as well- Germany, France, and even America."
"It's a very, very important few weeks for Sheffield. As a city, we've been supporting it for decades... it puts Sheffield on the map."
Alongside the action on the snooker table, Dan Kirkland also says the event helps bring snooker to new audiences, with younger players showing a growing interest to pick up a cue:
"We're just trying to get more people across age groups involved. It creates another generation of interest in snooker, to keep the legacy alive."
Local businesses, snooker clubs, and hospitality venues all benefit from the increased footfall during the tournament, with visitors from other ends of the world making the trip to South Yorkshire.
As the first rounds begin today, Sheffield is once again proving it's not just hosting snooker, it's part of its long-standing heritage.