Saudi Arabia will host its first ranking snooker event in 2024, with a prize pool over £2 million ($2.5 million) for the “fourth major”.
The prize money for the first Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be second only to the World Championship.
The World Snooker Tour has branded it alongside the sport’s three top tournaments: the World Championship, the UK Championship, and the Masters.
A 10-year agreement has been reached for the event, which will be held in Riyadh from August 31 to September 7 and will be available to the entire tour, as well as six local wild cards.
The Riyadh Season World Masters, a non-ranking event for the world’s top eight, will be held in March and will feature a new “golden ball” that has the potential to enhance the maximum break to 167.
Saudi Arabia’s efforts to boost its international status through sports are frequently labeled as “sportswashing”.
The kingdom holds three events: the Formula One Grand Prix, the $20 million Saudi Cup horse race, and the Dakar Rally.
It will host several significant events within the next decade, including the 2034 World Cup.
The country has become a renowned location for high-profile boxing matches, and the Saudi Pro League has drawn a slew of well-known footballers.
Snooker is the latest sport to move to the Gulf State, according to Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has forged a reputation for growth and creating new opportunities for sports to grow in a new market and reach new fans.”
Hearn represents British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, who has three fights in Saudi Arabia.