The 2025 Saudi Snooker Masters promises to change the snooker calendar altogether, with scintillating glamour and an awe-inspiring prize pool. This Snooker tournament in Saudi Arabia, assembled in the grand halls of Jeddah, creates a massive milestone in cue sports for the Gulf region. With an attendance of 144 players, a £2.3 million prize pool, and the brightest stars in snooker, the Saudi Snooker Masters could become the crown jewel of snooker events in GCC 2025.
Saudi Snooker Masters: A New Era of Cue Sports
The Saudi Snooker Masters is not just another tournament; it’s a seismic shift in the perception and presentation of the sport. This extravagant snooker event, which will be held from 8 to 16 August 2025, is already said to be the “Fourth Major” of snooker and the second edition of the tournament. With velvet ropes, media buzz, and the best players in the world migrating to Saudi Arabia, this is snooker like you have never seen!
As part of the Vision 2030 programme, the tournament is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiative to diversify its economy, cultivate local talent, and showcase the Kingdom as an international sporting event destination. Through its collaboration with the World Snooker Tour (WST), World Nineball Tour (WNT), and the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation (SABSF), the Kingdom is now at the epicenter of world snooker.
Saudi Snooker Masters Schedule & Format
This year’s Saudi Snooker Masters schedule promises an action-packed nine-day event that kicks off on August 8 and culminates in a two-session final on August 16. With a field of 144 players, the format is built to thrill:
- Rounds 1–3: Best-of-7 frames
- Rounds 4–5: Best-of-9
- Rounds 6 to Semis: Best-of-11
- Final: Best-of-19 (two-session match World snooker championship qualifiers will play)
The top 16 players who are part of the World Snooker Tour rankings earn a direct entry into the 5th round competition, while the rest (17-144) have to come through first four rounds. For me, the major exciting factor is that it includes wildcards-from Saudi Arabia and the ME entire region, especially for developing local talent.
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Star Snooker Players 2025: Who to Watch
Last year’s champion Judd Trump returns after a spectacular 2024 victory over Mark Williams, a match best remembered for Trump’s astonishing comeback. The pressure’s on him this year as the star snooker players 2025 lineup truly reads like a cue sport Hall of Fame:
- Ronnie O’Sullivan
- Mark Selby
- Neil Robertson
- Luca Brecel
Xiao Guodong and Bai Yulu’s withdrawals have made room for much stronger wildcards that may have upstaged them during the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, but it remains packed with local wildcards keen to make their mark.
Prize Money Breakdown of Saudi Snooker Masters
Money, that’s what we are talking about because, here, this is where the Saudi Snooker Masters comes into its own-the tournament is lined up for a total prize purse of £2,302,000, and is second only to the World Championship in regard to its richness among all snooker events on the calendar. Here’s the full prize breakdown:
- Winner: £500,000
- Runner-up: £200,000
- Semi-finalists: £100,000 each
- Quarter-finalists: £50,00
- Last 16: £30,000
- Last 32: £20,000
- Last 48: £11,000
- Last 80: £7,000
- Last 112: £4,000
- Last 144: £2,000
- 147 Break Bonus: £50,000
For players and fans alike, the Saudi Snooker Masters prize money is a game-changer, elevating the stakes to unprecedented levels.
Why Saudi Arabia? The Vision Behind the Spotlight
One could ask that what is so special about a snooker tournament held in Saudi Arabia to gain such buzz internationally? The answer is a fascinating combination of vision and ambition.
Vision 2030 is not just about changing the infrastructure or tourism attractions; it is more about unlocking new industries such as professional sports. Cue sports, once a pastime of sorts, are now being put on the map with government initiatives, youth programs, and elite training academies.
Nayef Aljawini, president of SABSF, attests:
“This partnership puts Saudi Arabia at the heart of the global snooker and billiards scene. It shows the world that we can host, nurture, and produce talent in this space, and that we’re here to stay.”
This very push has been luring international superstars and creating a platform for upcoming Saudi talent to compete worldwide.
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Snooker Events in GCC 2025: A Growing Phenomenon
With the Saudi Snooker Masters kicking off in the opening of the year, clearly, the lights will be very bright for snooker events in the GCC. Slowly but surely, the region is becoming a hub for cue sports, forging partnerships with the world vis-a-vis facilities and coaching across the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
It’s world-class entertainment, but it has an educational value: for young cueists in the region, it is one rare opportunity to see the sport’s best up close.
For continuous snooker and sports events updates in the region, visit Khaleej Journal.
How to Watch the Saudi Snooker Masters
If heading towards Jeddah in August isn’t within your plans, there are still options available, so do not worry: everything will be behind every pocket, break, and frame.
- UK Viewers: Live coverage on TNT Sports, with streaming via Discovery+
- Online Fans: Watch live on bet365 Live Streaming (no betting required)
The Snooker Masters is at this very moment in the most viewed accessible version ever, thanks to the agreements with the broadcasters. Peak drama and performance are promised in the 2025 edition, whether you are an avid supporter, or a newbie following the sport.
Final Thoughts
The Saudi Snooker Masters of 2025 isn’t just a sporting event-it’s a statement. A declaration that snooker can be done, that Saudi Arabia can host major-world events, and that the Middle East can in fact become a new epicenter for elite sport.
With its record-breaking prize pool, dazzling venue, and stacked lineup, the event has already claimed its place as a major on the global snooker calendar. So whether you’re tuning in for Judd Trump’s title defense, cheering for a local wildcard, or just admiring the showbiz of it all. One thing’s for sure, this is a snooker tournament you don’t want to miss.
