It is unhealthy information for snooker followers.
Certainly one of snooker’s largest prize pots is about to fade (Picture: Getty)
The World Snooker Tour have confirmed the Saudi Arabia Masters has been faraway from the schedule. The controversial event was launched two years in the past, however received’t happen from the 2026/27 season onwards.
A ten-year deal had beforehand been agreed between the WST bigwigs and Saudi sport chiefs, with the most recent bombshell proving a giant blow for the tour. It was marketed because the fourth main, with a whopping prize pot of £2.3million on provide for the 128 competing gamers.
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What’s extra, an additional £50,000 was obtainable to gamers who efficiently sank a 147, whereas the winner earned a gobsmacking £500,000 – the identical prize on provide to the World Championship victor. Judd Trump received the inaugural Suadi Masters in 2024, whereas Neil Robertson overcame Ronnie O’Sullivan in final yr’s version.
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It raises issues for these two potters specifically, as they received’t be capable to defend the half-a-million-pound rating cash following the scrapping of the occasion. It comes after information that the Saudi Public Funding Agency intend to pivot away from soccer within the coming years, with snooker already feeling the brunt.
An announcement from the WST emailed to gamers learn: “Following constructive discussions between The Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom following the conclusion of the 2025 editions, it has been mutually agreed to not proceed with future editions of the World Pool Championship and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
The 2 victors from the Saudi Masters will be unable to defend the prize cash (Picture: Getty)
“Throughout 2024 and 2025, the Kingdom efficiently staged two main occasions in Riyadh and Jeddah, welcoming world champions and offering 18 Saudi gamers with the chance to compete on the identical stage. 1000’s of spectators attended from almost 40 nations, many experiencing elite dwell snooker and pool for the primary time.
“Throughout this era, Saudi juniors additionally progressed by means of worldwide occasions, together with World Nineball Tour competitions, Q Tour Center East, and Asian junior championships — necessary early steps onto the worldwide stage. We prolong our honest because of all gamers, officers, and contributors for his or her contribution to the success of those occasions.”
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