World Snooker Tour Cancels Saudi Arabia Masters

The World Snooker Tour announced on Saturday the cancellation of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters after just two editions, ending a tournament that had been positioned as a major event on the professional calendar despite an initial 10-year agreement struck in 2024.

The decision came following discussions between the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom, the organization that holds a controlling stake in the tour. In a statement, the tour said the two sides mutually agreed not to proceed with future editions of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters or the World Pool Championship. The events, held in Riyadh in 2024 and Jeddah in 2025, featured a prize fund of 2.3 million pounds, matching the World Snooker Championship as the richest on the circuit. The winner in each staging received 500,000 pounds, with an additional 50,000 pounds available for a maximum 147 break.

Judd Trump claimed the inaugural title in Riyadh, defeating Mark Williams 10-9 in the final. The following year in Jeddah, Neil Robertson triumphed over Ronnie O'Sullivan by the same scoreline. Both tournaments drew thousands of spectators from nearly 40 countries and provided opportunities for 18 Saudi...