The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker, the first-ever World Snooker Tour event held in Saudi Arabia, is scheduled from March 4th to 6th, 2024, at the Boulevard Arena in Riyadh. 

The competition will showcase the world's top 8 players, including well-known names like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump. A unique feature of the tournament is that it includes a special Riyadh Season ball worth 20 points, allowing for a maximum break of 167.

This collaborative venture between the General Entertainment Authority and the World Snooker Tour signifies a significant stride in bringing professional snooker to the forefront in Saudi Arabia.

The Unique Riyadh Season Ball

What makes the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker truly unique is introducing an innovative concept, a 23rd ball known as the "Riyadh Season ball." 

This golden ball will be worth 20 points and can only be potted once all other balls have been successfully cleared from the table if a player is on a maximum break to make it 167. 

This fresh twist adds a new layer of strategy and anticipation to each game, as players must carefully plan their shots to include this high-value ball.

The Players in Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker

The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker is a new and unique sporting event that promises to bring together the world's best snooker players. 

At the end of the Players Championship (February 19-25, 2024), the top eight players in the official world rankings will qualify for the tournament in a ten-player field alongside two wild cards. 

The two wild cards will face the players seeded seventh and eighth, with the winners of those two matches going into the quarter-finals. Luca Brecel will be the top seed as World Champion, with the remaining seedings based on ranking order.

As it stands now, the top eight are:

  • Ronnie O'Sullivan

  • Judd Trump 

  • Mark Allen 

  • Luca Brecel

  • Mark Selby

  • Shaun Murphy

  • Neil Robertson

  • Mark Williams

HE Advisor Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GEA, highlights:

"We are thrilled to be hosting our first-ever professional snooker tournament in the Kingdom. Snooker is watched and played by millions around the world, and we look forward to welcoming some of the greatest players and snooker fans to our country and showing them what Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season has to offer."

Boulevard Arena in Riyadh

The Boulevard Arena in Boulevard City, Riyadh, has been chosen as the venue for the tournament. This is a significant step in Saudi Arabia's efforts to bring world-class sporting events to the country.

The venue promises to offer an exciting and dynamic environment for the tournament, providing a unique experience for players and fans. 

The Significance of the Event

The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker represents a substantial breakthrough for snooker into new territories. Steve Dawson, Chairman of the World Snooker Tour, speaks to this significance.

"It is a great privilege for the World Snooker Tour to partner with HE Advisor Turki Alalshikh to stage an event in Saudi Arabia for the first time. This is a huge breakthrough for snooker into a new territory, and we see this as the beginning of a new adventure for our sport in the region."

This event is not just about showcasing the world's best snooker players. It's also about bringing the sport to new audiences and providing local fans their first chance to witness some of Snooker’s all-time greats in action.

The Road Ahead

The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker represents a bold step forward for the sport. It's a testament to the growing global popularity of snooker and its potential to captivate audiences worldwide. 

With its blend of top-tier competition, innovative gameplay, and historic firsts, the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker is set to establish a new benchmark for snooker tournaments worldwide. 

It's a pioneering endeavor that signals an exciting future for the sport, embracing innovation while honoring tradition and bringing the snooker world to new frontiers.

Upcoming Sports Events in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters

In a recent announcement, Saudi Arabia disclosed a groundbreaking 10-year deal to hold the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, with a prize pool surpassing £2 million. 

The highly anticipated event will debut in Riyadh from August 31st to September 7th, 2024, cementing its place as the 'Fourth Major' on the World Snooker Tour schedule.

6 Kings Slam

The upcoming 6 Kings Slam, a prestigious Tennis tournament set for October 2024, highlights the upcoming Riyadh Season. With top players like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, this event is highly awaited and well-integrated into the overall festivities of Riyadh Season. 

This aligns with Saudi Arabia's goal of establishing itself as a prime destination for major international sports competitions.

The FIFA World Cup 2034

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup after Australia's bid was withdrawn. The support of the Asian Football Confederation heavily influenced the decision. 

The final confirmation is expected to take place at an extraordinary FIFA congress at the end of the upcoming year. This selection aligns with Saudi Arabia's goal to become a major international sports hub, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

The First Esports World Cup 2024

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced plans to hold the first E-Sports World Cup in 2024. This event will be a major milestone, as it will offer the largest prize pool ever seen in the world of esports. 

This decision is part of the country's ambitious goal to become a major player in the global gaming industry, which is currently worth $13.3 billion. 

Saudi Arabia aims to create 39,000 new job opportunities to boost the esports sector, demonstrating their dedication to promoting growth and innovation in this fast-growing field.

Continue Reading: Saudi Arabia to Host The First Ever Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in Riyadh