World snooker champion John Higgins feels the time is right to start looking at moving the World Championships away from Britain.

The prestigious tournament has been held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield for the last 32 years, but the deal runs out in two years' time.

Two-time winner Higgins told BBC Sport that now is the time to showcase the tournament in other countries, saying: “Places like Germany, Russia, Poland and, of course, China, are places we have to explore.”

''Germany, Russia, Poland and, of course, China, are places we have to explore” - world champion John Higgins


Higgins, along with business partner Pat Mooney, has set up a World Series Snooker tournament, independent of the current World Snooker schedule. The event features eight of the world’s top players, competing around Europe in cities such as Warsaw and Berlin.

The defending champion feels it is an absolute must that snooker taps into the growth potential of these countries. “Britain is not the be-all and end-all.” he said. “These places are crying out for top-class snooker.”

However, World Snooker has apparently rebuked any suggestion that the tournament could be taken on the road. The organisation told BBC Sport in a statement: "World Snooker shares a strong relationship with the city of Sheffield and our current agreement ensures that the 888.com World Snooker Championship will stay at the Crucible until at least 2010.

"Sheffield has established itself as the 'Snooker City' and with projects like the World Snooker Academy, has demonstrated a willingness to invest in the sport over the long term."
 
Higgins feels that to stay in Sheffield would hinder earning potential, not only of World Snooker but also of the players themselves.
 
"If the championship does move away from Britain it will mean another country has paid more money for it," he said.  "That will be good for the sport and the players, who will earn more."