The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, once among the most lucrative tournaments on the World Snooker Tour, has been scrapped, leaving leading players frustrated with how the decision was communicated.
Former World Championship finalist Barry Hawkins described the situation as “very disappointing,” revealing that players were only informed via an abrupt email on Saturday morning.
The event had been launched in 2024 as part of a 10-year agreement and was even dubbed the sport’s unofficial “fourth major.” With a prize fund of £2.3 million and a £500,000 winner’s cheque matching the World Championship, it stood as the richest ranking tournament outside the UK. Despite this, it has been discontinued after just two editions.
A joint statement from the World Snooker Tour confirmed that, following discussions with the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom, both parties agreed not to continue the event or the World Pool Championship.
Hawkins questioned the abrupt end to what was supposed to be a long-term deal, expressing frustration at the lack of explanation. He noted that players were left in the dark about why such a major tournament had been abandoned.
Earlier comments from Barry Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, hinted that ongoing instability in the Middle East may have influenced the decision. He suggested that Saudi Arabia is reassessing its involvement in sports investments amid broader regional challenges.
The tournament’s short history saw Judd Trump win the inaugural 2024 event in Riyadh, defeating Mark Williams, while Neil Robertson claimed the 2025 title in Jeddah after edging Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Its cancellation also carries ranking implications. Since rankings are based on prize money over a rolling two-year period, players who performed well in the event will lose significant points without an opportunity to defend them. Williams described the situation as “a bit unfair,” particularly for top players trying to maintain their standings.
Although the China Open is set to return, its £1.2 million prize fund is significantly lower, meaning it cannot fully compensate for the loss of such a high-value tournament.
Separately, the future of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship remains uncertain, as it was not mentioned in the official statement.
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