The World Championship snooker is one of the most prestigious events in the sport of snooker. It is held annually at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The tournament attracts the top snooker players from around the world who compete for the chance to be crowned World Champion.
With its long history and tradition, the World Championship generates great interest from snooker fans who are eager to watch the world’s best players in action. As the demand for tickets is very high, many people want to know how much it costs to attend the World Championship snooker in person.
Ticket Prices
Tickets for the World Championship snooker are available for every session during the 17-day tournament. Prices vary depending on the round and the seat location within the Crucible Theatre.
The Crucible Theatre has a seating capacity of 980. The venue is intimate, allowing spectators to get close to the action on the table. Tickets are categorized into several sections:
Upper Circle
The Upper Circle section is the highest tier of seats and furthest from the table. Upper Circle tickets provide a decent elevated view of the whole table.
Prices for the Upper Circle section range from £55 – £95 per session.
Lower Circle
The Lower Circle section is below the Upper Circle and also elevated from the table. Lower Circle seats offer closer and clearer views than the Upper Circle.
Prices for the Lower Circle section range from £80 – £130 per session.
Arena and Balcony
The Arena and Balcony sections are at ground level and closest to the table. These seats allow spectators to see the snooker action up close.
Prices for the Arena and Balcony sections range from £100 – £175 per session.
VIP Hospitality
VIP hospitality packages are available and offer the best views in the Arena section along with inclusive food and drinks. Hospitality tickets can cost over £400 per session.
Ticket Prices by Round
Ticket prices vary depending on the round of the tournament:
Qualifying Rounds
The qualifying rounds take place in the weeks leading up to the main tournament. These sessions generally have the most affordable tickets, starting from £12.50.
First Round
Tickets for the first round, when the top 16 players enter, range from £55 – £130 depending on seat location.
Second Round
As the tournament progresses, ticket prices increase. Second round tickets range from £80 – £175.
Quarter-Finals
The quarter-finals feature the top 8 players and ticket prices jump up to £100 – £295.
Semi-Finals
The semi-finals have very high demand. Tickets range from £150 – £375.
The Final
The final session has the most expensive tickets, ranging from £175 – £595+. There is extremely high demand to witness the new World Champion being crowned.
Booking Tips
Here are some useful tips for booking World Championship snooker tickets:
– Book early. Tickets sell out very fast, so booking as early as possible maximizes choice.
– Book multiple sessions. Booking a package deal for multiple sessions can be cheaper than buying individual tickets.
– Check authorized sellers. Only buy from official sources to avoid counterfeits. The main options are the Crucible box office and official resale markets.
– Join a priority scheme. Registering for a ticket priority scheme like World Snooker’s Two Cues Club can give early access to tickets.
– Consider hospitality packages. Hospitality tickets guarantee seats for every session and come with extras like food and drinks. These provide a premium experience but are expensive.
– Check travel/accommodation. When booking tickets, also consider organizing travel and accommodation to Sheffield which can add to the overall costs.
Ticket Availability
There is extremely high demand for World Championship tickets, so availability is very limited, especially in the latter rounds.
Many sessions sell out completely months or even a year in advance. So it requires planning ahead as early as possible to secure tickets.
For the most popular sessions like the semi-finals and finals, there can be waiting lists for any tickets that get returned or freed up.
The qualifying rounds and some early round sessions may have tickets still available closer to the event. But overall, last minute ticket availability is very scarce due to the huge demand.
Total Estimated Costs
To estimate the total costs of attending the World Championship:
– Budget £55 – £595+ per ticket depending on round and seat
– Factor in booking fees (around £5 per ticket)
– Consider transport to Sheffield and local accommodation
– Allow spending money for food, drinks, etc at the Crucible
For example, a package with good Arena seats for both semi-finals and the final, plus booking fees, transport and accommodation could easily cost £1000+ per person.
So seeing the World Championship snooker live is a big investment! But for snooker fans, witnessing the spectacle and drama of the World Championship in person is an unforgettable experience.
Conclusion
The World Championship snooker at the Crucible Theatre is the pinnacle of the snooker calendar. With extremely high demand and limited availability, tickets are quite expensive, ranging from £55 – £595+ per session depending on the round and seat location.
Prices increase as the tournament progresses, with the later rounds and finals being most expensive due to very limited availability. Booking early is essential for the chance to buy tickets. Accommodation, transport and other costs also need factoring in when budgeting the overall expense.
Attending the World Championship requires determination and a willingness to invest a significant amount. But being there in person to experience the intense atmosphere and see the world’s best snooker players battling it out makes it an unparalleled live sporting spectacle.
