By Saj Chowdhury

A purpose-built Billiardrome could eventually succeed the Crucible

Snooker fans can breathe a sigh of relief - the World Championship is staying at the Crucible, for now at least.

The Sheffield theatre, host of green baize drama since 1977, has been given a stay of execution after months of uncertainty.

World Snooker has agreed a new five-year deal to keep its showcase event in Sheffield, initially at the Crucible with a new 'Billiardrome' planned.

Last November, the sport's governing body said it was looking at possibly moving the championship away from the Crucible as it came to the end of its current five-year deal this season.

Championship stays in Sheffield

Six cities, including Sheffield, are believed to have submitted bids to host the event, and by the beginning of April a shortlist of three emerged.

In the end, Liverpool and Birmingham were both overlooked in favour of sticking with the Steel City.

However, if all goes to plan, the Crucible will eventually give up its World Championship belt to a younger and brasher newcomer.

The fans love it, the players love it and I love it From HE Have your say on Five Live

The city council is working with World Snooker to develop a purpose-built snooker venue which would address many of the Crucible's problems.

The arguments against the theatre revolve around its backstage facilities and relatively small capacity.

The capacity, in particular, had been a major talking point.

Welsh star Dominic Dale told BBC Sport earlier this year that an arena that holds 980 spectators is not sufficiently large enough to host such a major tournament.

"The Crucible is a very small venue," he said.

Davis favours retaining the Crucible

"They could sell the seats twice over for each match... and for the semis and the final you could probably sell five times the tickets of the capacity the arena is. "

Meanwhile, seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry said he would have liked to have seen the championship move around the country on an annual basis - similar to The Open golf format.

Those opposed to the event moving away from the Crucible, including former champion Steve Davis, cited the unique intimate atmosphere of the venue and its long history with the championship.

Many just wanted the World Championship to remain in the city of Sheffield.

World Snooker will be hoping that Friday's announcement would have pleased both sides.

It is widely known that snooker has suffered financially following the government enforced withdrawal of tobacco sponsorship, while TV viewing figures are a shadow of what they were during the 1980s.

The organisation will be hoping that the excitement generated by the Billiardrome plans, coupled with the sport's growing profile in the Far East, will help snooker rise again.