Organisers of the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield are celebrating this week after reporting healthy sales for most sessions.

Tickets have sold out for most remaining sessions after a sophisticated marketing campaign by organisers World Snooker.

The news is particularly gratifying for the organisers and the city of Sheffield after player Mark Williams caused a furore by criticising the Crucible on Twitter.

Returns

Fans without tickets now have to ring the box office in the hope of picking up returns and cancellations.

A woman at the box office said: "We have only got left 10 to 30 tickets, mainly based on resale, most of them have sold out."

Ivan Hirschowitz, spokesman for World Snooker said: "We had a predominant marketing campaign. We put the tickets on sale back in October, and even within the first few weeks a lot of the sessions were just sold out."

‘We are trying to get more and more clever with our marketing strategies using social media a lot more building up strong partnerships with local media. We work very hard alongside Sheffield City Council, who came to Yorkshire to make sure we market the event properly.

"I think every session now for the rest of the tournament is more or less sold out. So it’s great news for us and great news for Sheffield as well’, he told to JUS News reporters Jing Li and Joao Povoas.

One fan said: "Despite what Williams said the Crucible is the home of snooker. The staff are really helpful and friendly and when you go to the pubs near the venue you can meet the players and referees. You don't get that anywhere else."

Hospitality

Those who can't get hold of tickets for the final can buy a hospitality package. The package includes ticket to session of your choice to the final, drink on arrival, two-course meal, complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee, interval drinks, souvenir programme, commentary earpiece, photo with the trophy, an appearance from a snooker legend and a free £5 bet to use on the day at the event betting stand, courtesy of sponsor Betfred. The price of the packages is £200 per person per session.

To book or for further information call Frank Smith on 01277 359925 or email frank.smith@matchroom.com

Tickets for next year will go on sale on July 14 2012.