Snooker fans all make the same complaint about 'awful' part of World Championship coverage

Snooker fans have made the same complaint while watching coverage of the first round of the 2026 World Snooker Championship - though it isn't the fault of either main broadcaster.

Reigning champion Zhao Xintong kicked off the opening day of Crucible action on Saturday with a 10-7 win over qualifier Liam Highfield.

On Sunday, Mark Allen became the second player through to the last 16 as he defeated former top 16 player Zhang Anda 10-6.

Coverage of the World Championship is being broadcast by both BBC and TNT Sports, who have a joint rights deal to show the full tournament.

But fans watching on both channels have had the same problem while watching the action.

The tournament traditionally uses the colour red or purple for the carpet that is underneath the table, which helps the overall lighting of the coverage.

In recent tournaments, however, a black carpet has been used instead, which has been met with criticism from viewers for the unusual appearance it gives to the tables, as well as the fact that the players and referees wear black waistcoats and therefore clash with it.

"Not a fan of the black carpet... particularly with the all-black clothing that most players wear. Depressing look!" one viewer said.

"It's awful. Giving me a headache," a second said.

The carpet is in use around both tables at the Crucible (Image: BBC)

"I hate the black carpet... who's idea was that... can hardly define outline of players," a third wrote.

"I hate it. Way better red or royal blue," a fourth stated.

A fifth wrote: "I said this last time this carpet made an appearance at the Masters. It feels like there's a void of space and time around the table."

While a sixth added: "Anybody else dislike that dark carpet in the arena? Looks ghastly."

Prior to 2026, the carpet colour for the World Championship had always been red, beige, grey or brown at the Crucible, as per a handy Reddit user's guide - except for 2013, when it was blue.

The colours of the arena in general are usually defined by the colours of the tournament sponsor, with the Crucible adorned with a blue carpet during Betfred's sponsorship of the event in 2013.

There were brighter green colours through 888's sponsorship of the World Championship between 2006 and 2008, with the colours of Embassy - red, yellow and gold - used between 1978 and 2005.