A petition has been launched calling for the World Snooker Championship to stay in Sheffield after the contract expires in 2027 – and has reached over 600 signatures.

Matt Andrews, 50, the cousin of professional snooker player and coach Gary Filtness, started the change.org petition on 23 April to preserve the Crucible Theatre as the venue for the championship.

Mr Andrews, a therapist from Liverpool, said: “People were saying it can’t move from there, it will be the worst thing that happens to the sport. It is quite unique, that atmosphere it creates for the sport can’t be replicated anywhere else.”

The future of snooker at the Crucible, renowned for its intimate and atmospheric setting, has been in doubt since last year, when Former World Snooker Tour chairman and president of Matchroom Sport Barry Hearn claimed its capacity of 980 was unsuitable for the high demand, limiting tickets sales.

He has suggested moving to a 3,000-seat venue and offering £1m prize money, similarly to darts competitions.

Hearn met Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt and chief executive Kate Josephs on 1 May as one of several meetings taking place on the future of the snooker venue. A decision will be made by December.

The options include redeveloping the Crucible, finding another suitable venue in Sheffield, or moving the World Championship to another location such as Saudi Arabia, as suggested by seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Mr Andrews said: “I understand that the sport needs to grow but moving to Saudi Arabia is a quick fix that would damage the sport.”

Amid suggestions of a worldwide venue rotation between China, the UK and Saudi Arabia, four-time winner Mark Selby endorsed the Crucible as the permanent home of the World Snooker Championship.

Mr Andrews has been trying to drum up support for his petition by posting in local Sheffield Facebook groups.

He added: “Petitions don’t force change until they get to 100,000 signatures. I’m aiming to get as many as I can.”