WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP AND SAUDI ARABIA SNOOKER MASTERS SET FOR SPECTACULAR RETURN TO JEDDAH AS LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH SAUDI ARABIA BILLIARD SNOOKER FEDERATION STRENGTHENS

The world’s finest snooker and pool players will once again converge on Saudi Arabia this summer, as part of a landmark partnership that continues to bring two of cue sports’ most prestigious events to the Kingdom – helping shape the future of billiards across the Middle East.

• The ‘Crown Jewel’ World Pool Championship returns to Jeddah, 21–26 July 2025
• The ‘Battle on the Baize’ – the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters – set for Jeddah debut, 8–16 August 2025

The World Nineball Tour (WNT) and World Snooker Tour (WST)  – in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation and under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport for Saudi Arabia – will continue their historic sporting alliance this summer, as two of the most high-profile tournaments on the global cue sports calendar return to the Kingdom.

The action begins in July (21–26) with the 2025 World Pool Championship – the Crown Jewel of the World Nineball Tour – welcoming the sport’s elite back to Jeddah for a second successive year. A record $1,000,000 prize fund will once again be contested by the world’s top 100 players, including reigning world champion Fedor Gorst, 2023 world champion Francisco Sánchez Ruiz, five-time US Open winner and 2022 world champion Shane Van Boening.

In August (8–16), the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters makes its Jeddah debut at the iconic Green Halls. Now firmly established as the sport’s ‘fourth major’, the ranking event will feature all 128 WST tour players, joined by 16 wild cards from Saudi Arabia, competing for a prize fund in excess of £2 million – making it the second richest tournament on the 2025 World Snooker Tour schedule. Alongside the sport’s traditional Triple Crown, the Saudi Arabia Masters continues to elevate snooker’s global prestige and reach. Judd Trump won the inaugural title last year, beating Mark Williams 10-9 with an all-time great clearance in the deciding frame.

These back-to-back world-class events highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the international sporting stage, aligned with Vision 2030 – the Kingdom’s wide-reaching initiative to diversify its economy and empower the next generation through sport.

Now in the second year of a transformative partnership, Matchroom’s collaboration with the Saudi Arabian sporting authorities is underpinned by a long-term legacy programme. With a shared vision alongside the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation, both tours remain committed to expanding cue sports at every level – from youth development and grassroots coaching to international wild card opportunities for emerging regional talent.

President of the Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation Nayef Aljawini stated: “We’re are delighted to launch this partnership, positioning Saudi Arabia at the center of the global billiards and snooker scene. It highlights the world’s trust in the Kingdom’s ability to host major events and opens up new opportunities to cultivate local talent and train the next generation of Saudi players.”

Director of Matchroom Sport Emily Frazer commented: “We are proud to return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the second year of this landmark partnership. These events continue to set new benchmarks – not only in terms of prize money, but also in prestige and global impact. Last year featured world-class hospitality and an exceptional set-up for the players, raising the bar for professionalism and player experience. It’s about more than competition; it’s about legacy, opportunity, and inspiring the next generation of players.”

World Snooker Tour Chairman Steve Dawson said: “Last year’s inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters was a historic landmark for snooker as the first ever ranking event in the Kingdom. It was a wonderful experience for the players and the event has already established itself as our tour’s fourth major. We are excited to stage the event in Jeddah for the first time and to bring the all-time greatest players to new fans. Our expansion into Saudi Arabia is a huge step forward for snooker and a key element in our strategy to develop our sport globally. We are working closely with our partners in the region on the ambition to develop our sport at all levels from the elite major events, to grassroots and participation. In years to come we would love to see professional players and even tournament winners from Saudi Arabia.”

Both the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and World Pool Championship will be broadcast globally through major international partners. Further details will be announced in due course by the World Snooker Tour and World Nineball Tour.