The Saudi Arabia Masters snooker tournament has been cancelled after two editions, according to World Snooker Tour. The decision was mutually agreed between World Snooker Tour, the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation, and Matchroom Sport, a statement said. The tournament was first staged in 2024 and won by Judd Trump, with Neil Robertson winning the 2025 edition. It had a prize fund of £2.3 million, including £500,000 for the winner, and an extra £50,000 was available for a 147 break, according to reports.
The tournament was part of a 10-year deal agreed between World Snooker Tour and Saudi sport chiefs. World Snooker Tour stated that following constructive discussions after the 2025 editions, it was mutually agreed not to proceed with future editions of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and the World Pool Championship. The cancellation is linked to the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund re-evaluating its financial approach to sport, including pulling out of LIV Golf investment and plans to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, according to major media reports. The PIF has entered a 'Value Realization' period from 2026-30, with some projects falling by the wayside as the 2034 football World Cup becomes the focus, reports said. According to PIF governor Yasir al-Rumayyan, the war in Iran has added 'more pressure to reposition some priorities.'
What a disappointment, without sounding rude, I just think something's gone wrong for us to lose that tournament.
Players who won prize money in Saudi Arabia will not be able to defend it on the two-year rolling ranking system, affecting top players like Judd Trump and Neil Robertson. According to Metro - Main, Barry Hawkins expressed disappointment and frustration over the cancellation, calling it 'pathetic'. He said that a 10-year contract had been 'blown out of the water' and that players received no explanation, just a 'stupid email'. He noted that the money ranking system is 'top heavy' and that players cannot defend the £500,000 prize. Hawkins also mentioned that while the China Open has been confirmed to return next season with a £1.2 million prize fund, 'we lose a big one and gain another one, so we're not no further forward.'
World Snooker Tour acknowledged that across 2024 and 2025, the Kingdom successfully staged two major events in Riyadh and Jeddah, welcoming world champions and providing 18 Saudi players with the opportunity to compete on the same stage. Thousands of spectators attended from nearly 40 countries. During this period, Saudi juniors also progressed through international events, including World Nineball Tour competitions, Q Tour Middle East, and Asian junior championships. The tour extended sincere thanks to all players, officials, and participants for their contribution to the success of these events.
What's happened to the 10-year contract we had? It's just been blown out of the water.
The China Open has been confirmed to return next season with a £1.2 million prize fund, partially offsetting the loss of the Saudi event. However, the cancellation leaves a significant gap in the snooker calendar and raises questions about the stability of long-term deals with Saudi Arabia.
We don't get no explanation, nothing, which is very, very annoying. We just get some stupid email today saying it's been stopped. No explanation why, nothing. Very disappointing, it's a massive tournament to lose.
It'd be interesting to see what the reason was behind it. I've heard something, I don't know how true it is, but it's pathetic.
I suppose that's one of the downsides to having a money ranking system, because it's so top heavy.
Now these guys like Neil Robertson and Judd Trump, they haven't got a chance to defend that £500,000, that's just gonna be wiped off, and there's no tournament to replace that.
Obviously we've got the China Open, but we lose a big one and gain another one, so we're not no further forward.
So, yeah, really disappointed, because it's a big part of the season, massive part of season. Like I say, we get some silly email.
Following constructive discussions between The Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom following the conclusion of the 2025 editions, it has been mutually agreed not to proceed with future editions of the World Pool Championship and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Across 2024 and 2025, the Kingdom successfully staged two major events in Riyadh and Jeddah, welcoming world champions and providing 18 Saudi players with the opportunity to compete on the same stage. Thousands of spectators attended from nearly 40 countries, many experiencing elite live snooker and pool for the first time.
During this period, Saudi juniors also progressed through international events, including World Nineball Tour competitions, Q Tour Middle East, and Asian junior championships — important early steps onto the global stage. We extend our sincere thanks to all players, officials, and participants for their contribution to the success of these events.