Saudi Arabia has announced that it will host a new snooker tournament that will be considered as the sport’s ‘fourth major’, with a prize fund of over £2 million. The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will take place in Riyadh from August 31 to September 7, 2024, and will feature the world’s best players.
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is part of a 10-year deal between the World Snooker Tour (WST), the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation, and the Ministry of Sport for Saudi Arabia. The deal also includes the World Pool Championship, which will be held in Jeddah in June 2024.
The aim of the deal is to promote and develop snooker and pool in the region, and to attract new fans and players. Saudi Arabia has hosted several major sporting events in recent years, such as boxing, golf, and Formula One, and is keen to expand its portfolio of sports.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Saudi Minister of Sport, said: “Saudi Arabia is an ever-emerging home to all sports and we’re excited by the opportunity to add new world-class events in snooker and pool. We look forward to welcoming the world’s best players to our country and showcasing our passion for sport and unique culture.”
Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be a ranking event open to all tour players
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be a ranking event open to all 128 tour players, plus six local wildcards from the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation. The tournament will have a prize fund of over £2 million, making it the second richest event on the WST schedule, behind only the World Championship.
The tournament will be put alongside the Masters, the UK Championship, and the World Championship as the sport’s ‘fourth major’, and will offer a prestigious title and a large amount of ranking points to the winner. The tournament will also be broadcast globally, reaching millions of viewers.
WST chairman Barry Hearn said: “This is a momentous day for snooker as we announce our fourth major, the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters. This is a huge opportunity for our sport to grow in a new territory and to reach new audiences. We are delighted to partner with the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation and the Ministry of Sport for Saudi Arabia, who share our vision and ambition for snooker and pool.”
Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be followed by the Riyadh Season World Masters
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be followed by another snooker event in Riyadh, the Riyadh Season World Masters, which will be a non-ranking event for the world’s top eight players. The event will have a unique format, featuring a 20-point golden ball for players who complete a 147 break.
The Riyadh Season World Masters will be part of the Riyadh Season, a festival of entertainment and culture that will run from October to December 2024. The festival will include concerts, shows, sports, and other activities, and will attract visitors from around the world.
The Riyadh Season World Masters will have a prize fund of £1 million, with £500,000 going to the winner. The event will also be broadcast globally, and will showcase the best of snooker and the best of Saudi Arabia.
