Masters heading to Ally Pally

The January tournament has been played at the Wembley complex since 1979, initially at the now-demolished Conference Centre and since 2007 at the Arena.

It was also confirmed that the UK Championship will relocate from Telford to York's Barbican Centre, which staged the event from 2001 to 2006.

Both deals are initially short-term ones, but with a view to the venues holding the events for years to come.

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn believes the Masters relocation will breathe new life into the tournament, which will run from January 15-22 in 2012.

Iconic

"Alexandra Palace is one of the iconic buildings in London. I've staged boxing matches there and the World Darts Championship which has been an enormous success."
Barry Hearn Quotes of the week

Hearn said: "Alexandra Palace is one of the iconic buildings in London. I've staged boxing matches there and the World Darts Championship which has been an enormous success.

"We have the ability to build within this arena an atmospheric staging of a major event. I'm thrilled to be there. I know it works."

Snooker left York when the Barbican closed its doors. However, it has since been refurbished and reopens next month. The UK Championship will run from December 3-11.

Hearn said: "I know the people of York will be thrilled that we're going to come back."

Cathedral

They are the two of the marquee events on the snooker calendar behind the World Championship, which has resided at the Crucible Theatre since 1977.

Hearn has no plans to relocate the game's biggest prize from the intimate Sheffield venue.

"This is my cathedral of dreams," he said, speaking from the Crucible during this year's tournament.

"I love this place. I go through the curtain, close my eyes, and I'm in a time warp.

"We're tied in for the next four years to this place and I really wouldn't care if it was 40."