Matchroom Pool inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and World Pool Championship are set to be hosted in Riyadh and Jeddah as part of a significant 10-year agreement.
This year, the world's top snooker and Nineball pool players will converge in Saudi Arabia to inaugurate a groundbreaking 10-year agreement that will introduce two premier annual sporting events to the Kingdom and revolutionize Billiards in the Middle East.
The World Snooker Tour and World Nineball Tour, in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation and the Ministry of Sport for Saudi Arabia, announced today the commencement of a historic, decade-long partnership, commencing this summer with tournaments in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Kicking off this June 3rd-8th, the 2024 World Pool Championship, the flagship event of the World Nineball Tour, will be hosted at the Green Halls in Jeddah.
A historic prize fund of $1,000,000 awaits the world's top pool cueists, including reigning champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, five-time US Open titleholder and 2022 world champion Shane Van Boening, and 2018 world champion Joshua Filler, as they vie for victory on the World Nineball Tour.
Following this thrilling spectacle, Riyadh will host the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters from August 31st to September 7th. Led by the sport's elite players, this event will officially earn the title of the 'fourth major' in snooker. With a prize purse exceeding £2 million, it stands as the second richest tournament on the esteemed World Snooker Tour schedule for 2024.
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will serve as a world ranking event, welcoming all 128 tour players alongside six local wild cards from the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Saudi Minister of Sport, and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Sports said: “Saudi Arabia is an ever-emerging home to all sports and we’re excited by the opportunity to add new world-class events in snooker and Nineball pool to our growing year-round calendar. Hosting global events is all part of our strategy to grow all sports and to inspire our people to participate by giving them the chance to enjoy live sporting action. We are a young country with a young population and the approach is working. Since 2018 we’ve hosted over 100 international sports events and during that time sports participation has more than tripled.”
As part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at advancing social and economic progress, the nation has emerged as a gracious host for major global sports events, embracing both male and female athletes. From football and motorsports to tennis, equestrian sports, esports, and golf, Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 2.6 million sports enthusiasts to witness these prestigious competitions.
Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has forged a reputation for growth and creating new opportunities for sports to grow in a new market to new fans. The country has hosted some of the world’s premier sporting events in recent years, welcoming visitors from all over to experience its passion for sport and unique culture. The addition of both the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and World Pool Championship over the next decade further enhances that as it heralds an exciting chapter for Snooker and Nineball pool. We have seen the incredible impact Boxing has had in this region. Now, I believe we will see Billiards cement its legacy here too, creating incredible opportunities and competition for the finest players on the planet.”
Both sports have affirmed a dedicated focus and determination to foster the growth and advancement of the game within the region, in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Billiard and Snooker Federation. Additionally, they have committed to providing wild card opportunities to emerging local talent, allowing them to participate in these prestigious annual competitions on a world-class stage.
Further information regarding both groundbreaking events will be disclosed in due course by the World Snooker Tour and the World Nineball Tour separately.
