Barry Hearn chooses York Barbican to host upcoming UK Championship in December 2011 – Snooker Update
World Snooker Chairman, Barry Hearn, has chosen the Barbican Centre in York as the next host of the upcoming UK Championship to be held this year from December 3 to 11, 2011.
The move comes after a successful Betfred.com World Snooker Championship 2011, at the Crucible Theatre. The UK Championship is the second most prestigious tournament in the world of snooker, after the World Championship.
Hearn revealed his decision to the press that he wants to make the York Barbican a splendid venue for the UK championship, just like the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The Chairman, Hearn, is a great fan of the Crucible as he calls it his ‘theatre of dreams’.
He believes that the 1,500-seater Barbican Centre will be a terrific arena for the UK Championship to rival the Crucible glory. The UK Championship is returning to Barbican after five years.
Hearn planned a winning formula at the Crucible and got success by a record ticket sale as 40,000 people watched the event for 17 days. The Chairman wants to create the thrill, excitement and atmosphere of the Crucible arena in York.
Hearn added, “The Barbican is an atmospheric venue, and that is what we wanted to create. We're thrilled and excited to be heading back to the Barbican Centre in York for the UK Championship in December 2011. The UK Championship has had several homes, but
returns to York, its rightful home. This is going to be the second biggest sporting event in York.”
The Chairman also switched the Masters venue from Wembley to Alexandra Palace in North London, which is also a part of his plan to bring a revolution in the sport of snooker.
Hearn said, “Alexandra Palace is one of the iconic buildings in London. I’ve staged boxing matches there and the World Darts Championship which has been an enormous success.”
Welshman Mark Williams surged into the semi-final of the betfred.com World Snooker Championship 2011, after crashing Mark Allen 13-5 in the best-of-25 frames quarter-final.
Williams will next meet Ronnie O’Sullivan or John Higgins in the semi-final of the event, as the pair is due to resume their match on Wednesday evening.
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