World Snooker and Sheffield City Council have agreed a momentous deal to keep the sport’s biggest tournament in the city for the next decade.

The World Championship will remain in Sheffield until at least 2027.

The World Championship is watched by over 350 million people globally across  89 different countries. This year’s tournament conclusion sees Mark Selby up against China’s Ding Junhui, the first Asian player to reach the final.

The event was first staged at the Crucible Theatre in 1977 so next year will mark its 40th anniversary in at the iconic venue.

Sheffield has fought off competition from a host of major international cities looking to take the blue riband event out of its traditional home.

Many of snooker’s great names have lifted the famous trophy at the Crucible, including Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The deal also includes an International Trade partnership which will see the city promoting itself to Investors and future International students at over 17 events on the World Snooker Tour held outside the UK.