In a groundbreaking move for the game of snooker, Saudi Arabia will host its first professional snooker tournament, the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker, in March. This event will notably introduce a maximum break score of 167, an unprecedented figure in the sport. The tournament is scheduled to take place from March 4 to 6 at the Boulevard Arena, situated in Riyadh’s Boulevard City.
The competition will feature an elite lineup of 10 players, including the legendary seven-time World Snooker Championship victor Ronnie O’Sullivan, 2019 World Champion Judd Trump, and current titleholder Luca Brecel.
Adhering to standard World Snooker regulations, the tournament will incorporate a novel element—the “Riyadh Season ball.” This 23rd ball, golden in color and valued at 20 points, becomes potable only after all other balls have been cleared from the table during a maximum break attempt. This addition creates the opportunity for a 167 break, enhancing the thrill of the game.
This event is part of a broader initiative, Riyadh Season, an annual celebration combining entertainment and sports, inaugurated in 2019 and spanning from October to March.
The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) of Saudi Arabia, represented by CEO Faisal Bafarat, and World Snooker Tour, headed by Chairman Steve Dawson, finalized the agreement for the event. Turki Alalshikh, GEA Board Chairman, expressed his excitement about hosting the Kingdom’s first professional snooker event, anticipating it to be a magnet for both players and fans globally.
Dawson conveyed his privilege in bringing the World Snooker Tour to Saudi Arabia, viewing it as a significant step for the sport’s expansion into a new region and a milestone for snooker’s growth.
Trump shared his enthusiasm about snooker’s outreach to new locations, praising Saudi Arabia’s initiative to embrace the sport. The full roster of competitors and event schedule will be unveiled in due course.