The World Snooker Tour confirmed that the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will not continue beyond the 2025 edition, which was the second and final staging of the event. The tournament was first held in 2024 and had been announced as a 10-year deal. According to a World Snooker Tour statement, the cancellation was mutually agreed between the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom.
The winner of the Saudi Arabia Masters received £500,000, matching the top prize at the World Championship. Judd Trump won the inaugural edition in 2024, and Neil Robertson claimed the 2025 title. According to the World Snooker Tour, players who won prize money in Saudi Arabia will not be able to defend it on the two-year rolling ranking system.
What a disappointment, without sounding rude, I just think something's gone wrong for us to lose that tournament.
Potential reasons for the cancellation include the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) re-evaluating its financial approach to sport, with reports of pulling out of LIV Golf and plans for the 2035 Rugby World Cup. The PIF has entered a 'Value Realization' period from 2026-30, with some projects being dropped as the 2034 football World Cup becomes the focus. Additionally, according to PIF governor Yasir al-Rumayyan, the war in Iran has added pressure to reposition some priorities.
According to Metro - Main, Barry Hawkins expressed disappointment and frustration over the cancellation, describing it as 'pathetic' and noting that players received no explanation. He said the loss of the tournament is a big blow, especially for players like Trump and Robertson who cannot defend their prize money.
What's happened to the 10-year contract we had? It's just been blown out of the water.
According to Metro - Main, the China Open has been confirmed to return next season with a £1.2m prize fund, less than the £2.3m in 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.