Fans will be able to buy standard, premium and VIP tickets from 12pm for the tournament, which will take place at the Crucible Theatre.

Organisers revealed all tickets will be sold online via the Crucible Theatre and SEE Tickets, with no allocations to be make this year via telephone or in person due to Covid-19 restrictions.

World Snooker Tour said many fans who had tickets for the 2020 event have transferred them to next year. 

"This is an incredible opportunity for fans to get in early and secure tickets for our blue riband tournament, because there is no venue on Earth which can match the Crucible for atmosphere and the magic of the experience," said Barry Hearn, World Snooker Tour chairman.

"We live in uncertain times and of course we can’t guarantee at this stage that we will be able to welcome fans at the Crucible next Spring, but everyone who follows snooker can rest assured that we will try our best to make this happen and explore every opportunity.

"We have worked closely with the UK Government in recent months and we were extremely proud that the World Championship was selected as the first indoor sporting event to safely welcome fans, albeit only on certain days. 

"We remain dedicated to the same path as we look to the future, and in Sheffield Council and Sheffield Theatres we have fantastic partners to work with on a common goal.

"Fans can be sure that if the 2021 event is played behind closed doors or with a reduced crowd, they will have the options of transferring their tickets or a full refund."

Next year’s tournament is due to take place from April 17 to May 13.

Ronnie O'Sullivan won a sixth World Snooker Championship title at this year’s event, after beating Kyren Wilson 18-8 in the final.

Victory put him level with England's Steve Davis and one behind Stephen Hendry, for all-time wins at the Crucible Theatre, which has hosted the event since 1977.

The event ran from July 31 to August 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic, having been postponed from its initial dates of April 18 to May 4.

The postponement followed restrictive measures put in place to contain coronavirus in England.

Fans were prevented from attending much of the tournament.

A socially-distanced crowd of 300 spectators was permitted, however, to attend the final session of the competition.