 Ronnie O'Sullivan won the World Championship at the Crucible in 2008
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The World Snooker Championship looks set to remain at the Crucible Theatre for another five years.
An official announcement will be made on Tuesday confirming a new contract to keep the event in Sheffield until 2014.
The deal comes after talks between World Snooker, Sheffield City Council and the Yorkshire tourist board.
World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker has previously suggested that the tournament could one day be held in China or Dubai.
BBC snooker reporter Phillip Studd said: "The idea that the tournament might move to China in the near future was never really a goer.
"The time difference would create difficulties for the UK audience, and the BBC television deal is frankly far too valuable to be sacrificed.
"Not that having China as a possible alternative would have done any harm when negotiating a new deal with Sheffield City Council.
"The arrival of new sponsor BetFred, who have signed a four-year deal, is also significant.
"My understanding is that they will influence how the game is run and marketed in the future, and they were very keen for the Championship to stay at its spiritual home. "
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