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Ronnie O'Sullivan agrees with Jordan Brown that the Waterfront would work as an ideal temporary venue for the snooker World Championships. While Sheffield's famed Crucible Theatre has been the home of the prestigious event since 1977, redevelopment works mean that the tournament will have to take place elsewhere in 2029. And speaking about a potential temporary home for the Worlds that year, O'Sullivan told TNT Sports that Belfast's Waterfront could serve as a fitting placeholder.
He explained: "I think [Belfast] is a good location, I think it's great. There are so many good venues. They could have picked maybe seven or eight venues. There's other venues that I really like too. I would have been happy with Llandudno. I think that's an amazing snooker venue. To play snooker in, I think it's one of the best."
The world-famous event is set to remain at the Crucible until at least 2045, with redevelopment works seeing the venue expanded by a further 500 seats. O'Sullivan isn't the only snooker talent who believes that the Waterfront would serve as an apt replacement in three years' time either.
Northern Ireland's Brown has also thrown his support behind the Belfast-based arena. He told Metro: "I’m not being biased because it’s obviously my home tournament and venue, but I’ve said it loads of times in the past that the Waterfront would be a perfect venue to hold the World Championship. Anywhere you sit in the crowd is good, with the way it’s set up with balconies overlooking the arena.
"I think it’s the absolute perfect venue, why not have it there? It’s not too far away from where it’s held in Sheffield, a 40-minute flight. I think it would be great for Belfast, with the fans, you’d get a great turnout for it, that’s guaranteed."
It comes as O'Sullivan endured humiliation at the Northern Ireland Open on Tuesday, ejected from the tournament in the very first round by Cheung Ka Wai. The world No. 110 managed to win three frames in a row to secure a 4-3 win over the 'Rocket' - his first in main-draw knockout match on the ranking scene.
It also came as O'Sullivan's first match in the UK since a 13-12 second-round loss to John Higgins at the 2026 World Championship. Speaking about the win, Cheung said: "It's the best moment for me on the snooker tour. To be honest I was a little bit scared of playing him but my coach told me, whether I win or lose, to get the best experience possible."
Speaking about his decision to play in Northern Ireland, O'Sullivan, meanwhile, explained: "I was just in Ireland. I think there's a run of tournaments. I wasn't in China so I thought I'd just come here just to see some family and friends.
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"I knew this tournament was on, so I thought I'd just play here. I think I'm maybe in that Champion of Champions as well. And then obviously you've got the 900 just before the UK, and then hopefully the UK [Championship] as well. I think if I can get a run of tournaments, it's quite good for me."
Asked how much he was looking forward to playing ahead of the match, O'Sullivan also made a worrying admission. He said: "I don't really get excited any more. To be honest I'd have much rather stayed at home today and just had a nice easy day, I'll be honest with you. But I got myself here. I'm keen, I'm always keen.
"If you gave me the choice of just relaxing at home or going for a run, going to the gym, having some nice food and seeing friends - or coming here - I'd have chosen that all day. But I've still got to do a bit of work. It's probably good for me to go out and play a little bit.
"I had six weeks off after China, when I got beat by Chang Bingyu. I didn't play for six weeks and went straight into the next China event, but I felt ok. I did a little bit of practice last week, so we'll see how I go."
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