London’s Alexandra Palace has been dubbed the new “home of snooker” with a top snooker coach saying it seems like the right fit to host the World Championship.
The ”Ally Pally” as it is nicknamed, has proven popular among snooker’s fraternity. This week’s Masters has only cemented that feeling with top players such as Judd Trump and Mark Allen saying Masters week is their favourite in the snooker calendar.
Former world champion John Parrott is a huge fan of the Alexandra Palace and called it snooker’s “home” while in the BBC studio this week.
Parrott said: “I never thought it would be as good as this. It has just transpired to be one of the best venues you’ll ever play in. It looks like the home of snooker and I hope it doesn’t move from here.”
Snooker coach and Sight Right owner Stephen Feeney, who helped Stuart Bingham and Mark Williams to win world titles through his unique coaching methods, has also highly praised the venue.
A replacement for the Crucible?
On his Facebook page, Feeney said it has everything to host the World Championship should a move away from Sheffield be decided. He posted: “You know – if the World Snooker Championship does have to move away from Sheffield because of the limited seating capacity in The Crucible – surely the Ally Pally would be a great new home for it in the UK?”
The conversation comes as tournaments abroad become more regular on the World Snooker Tour with the Saudi Arabia Masters and the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship becoming more lucrative for players each season.
And fans have also had their say, with the possibility of the movement of the World Championship from Sheffield dividing opinion.
One wrote “It has to stay at the Crucible!! It’s more than just a venue, it’s a symbol of snookers heritage and history. A crucial part of what makes the World Championships so special.”
And another fan said he was keen on the possibility of Alexandra Palace hosting all three Triple Crown events “The World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters should all be played at the Alexander Palace it’s an absolutely brilliant venue and for me should be the new home for these three brilliant tournaments.”
The debate is likely to rumble on with the Crucible holding a contract with the World Snooker Tour until 2027.
