Lucrative Saudi Arabia Masters scrapped from snooker circuit in big blow for players

The news was officially announced by the World Snooker Tour on Saturday afternoon, with a statement on its website saying: “Following constructive discussions between The Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom following the conclusion of the 2025 editions, it has been mutually agreed not to proceed with future editions of the World Pool Championship and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.

“Across 2024 and 2025, the Kingdom successfully staged two major events in Riyadh and Jeddah, welcoming world champions and providing 18 Saudi players with the opportunity to compete on the same stage. Thousands of spectators attended from nearly 40 countries, many experiencing elite live snooker and pool for the first time. During this period, Saudi juniors also progressed through international events, including World Nineball Tour competitions, Q Tour Middle East, and Asian junior championships — important early steps onto the global stage. We extend our sincere thanks to all players, officials, and participants for their contribution to the success of these events.”

There were rumours that top-flight snooker’s second richest event was in doubt when there wasn’t a proper place for it on a provisional calendar for next season that was sent to players a few weeks ago.

Amidst the current conflict and political situation going on in the Middle East region, there have been recent suggestions that Saudi Arabia is cooling on its fledgling sporting projects, such as the news that the breakaway LIV Golf Tour could be binned.

In February 2024, Matchroom Sport announced a 10-year deal and partnership with the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation and the Ministry of Sport for Saudi Arabia to host the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and the World 9-Ball Pool Championship. This was part of a wider project to increase the visibility of cuesports within the country.

With a prize fund in excess of £2.3 million - £500,000 going to the champion - Judd Trump won the inaugural staging of the tournament in 2024 with a thrilling 10-9 triumph over Mark Williams in the final on the final black. The first professional snooker ranking event ever to be held in the Kingdom.

Earlier this season, there was another deciding frame climax when Neil Robertson ousted Ronnie O’Sullivan to the half-a-million-pound champion’s purse.

Being almost as lucrative as the sport’s blue riband event, the World Snooker Championship, the removal of the Saudi Arabia Masters will be very disappointing for the players.

The news of this cancellation comes off the back of recent announcements about a 25% increase in prize money for next season’s UK and World Championships, and the revival of the China Open which is set to be the richest event ever held in the Far East with a seven-figure prize fund. At least those events should plug the prize money lost from Saudi.

It is unclear whether the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship - previously won by O’Sullivan, Mark Allen, and most recently Zhao Xintong - will continue. That tournament - featuring a ‘golden’ ball and a special $1 million prize for a maximum 167 break - is different to the Saudi Arabia Masters.

The World Nineball Tour will be particularly affected by this news as the winner of the annual World 9-Ball Pool Championship was receiving $250,000 - by far the biggest first prize on its circuit.

EDIT: It is understood that the World 9-Ball Pool Championship will continue to have a $1 million prize pot at a different venue.