Tomorrow the World Snooker Tour (WST) makes its highly anticipated debut in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters – the biggest international ranking event in WST history and the sport’s new major championship.
Taking place at the Green Halls, Riyadh from August 30 to September 7, the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters welcomes the finest cueists on the planet for nine days of elite competition and high-stakes showdowns. With the prestigious title and vital world ranking points on offer alongside a prize pool exceeding £2.3 million, it’s all to play for in the inaugural edition of this star-studded tournament.
Ahead of the first round action on Friday, some of the most recognized and decorated snooker players have expressed their excitement – labeling the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters as “incredible” and the “start of a new chapter” in the sport’s modern era.
With the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters confirmed for the next decade, Ronnie O’Sullivan – a seven-time world champion and the greatest player of all time – said: “It’s fantastic that the World Snooker Tour is bringing a new major championship to Saudi Arabia. As players, we’re excited to come here and play, but more importantly, it’s great for the sport and brilliant for the fans in this part of the world.
We want to keep seeing snooker grow as much as possible in new countries all over the world. This event can certainly take our sport to a new level and inspire new generations of players and fans. I’m sure the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be incredible.”
Alongside O’Sullivan, the biggest names in snooker are all competing in Riyadh. Ex-world champions John Higgins, Mark Selby, Mark Williams, Luca Brecel, and Shaun Murphy line up alongside the rest of the world’s elite top 16 players which also include world no. 1 Judd Trump, world No. 2 Mark Allen and 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson.
The inaugural edition will be contested by 127 tour players, plus 17 wildcard entrants selected by the Saudi Arabian Billiards & Snooker Federation (SABSF), to create a total field of 144 players. The total prize pool is also bigger than any tournament other than the World Championship – reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to help grow snooker in the Kingdom and across the Middle East.
Another star player to applaud these efforts is 2010 world champion Neil Robertson, the most successful player from outside the UK. Austraila’s 23-time ranking event winner said of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters: “We need to break into new territories. Saudi Arabia is investing in sport to help inspire its young population to get active and lead healthy lives and it’s great that snooker is now part of this strategy.
We are getting more tournaments, with more prize money and more ranking points earning opportunities for all of the tour. I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure it will be a great experience for everyone.”
Dr. Nasser Al Shamri, President of the Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation, said: “We are looking forward to the first edition of the Saudi Masters Snooker Championship, which will be held in Riyadh tomorrow. This is part of the transformation efforts that the sports industry in Saudi Arabia is undergoing with the support of our wise leadership, and the continuous guidance of His Highness the Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal. We look forward to the participation of elite international snooker players as well as the promising Saudi players in this tournament. This will be an ideal platform for our local stars to gain experience and compete at the highest levels. We can’t wait to see who will be crowned champion of the first edition of this historic event.”
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is part of an exciting legacy commitment between the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport and SABFS to develop snooker nationally and regionally over the next decade. It joins an incredible year-round schedule of international sports in Saudi Arabia and is a part of the Kingdom’s investment in sport, which aims to inspire its people to enjoy active and healthy lives as part of the country’s Vision 2030 cultural transformation.
From its investments in grassroots infrastructure to hosting international events – including motorsport, football, tennis, and boxing – the country’s Ministry of Sport has helped inspire a 48% increase in weekly sports participation among the local population. SABSF has also opened up opportunities – investing in grassroots facilities, events, and promotions to help inspire its young population into the sport.
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