SAUDI Arabia will stage its first ranking snooker event in 2024, with a prize pool of more than £2 million ($2.5 million) for the “fourth major”.
The inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will trail only the World Championship in terms of prize money.
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The World Snooker Tour has branded it alongside the sport’s three elite tournaments; the World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters.
A 10-year deal has been agreed for the event, which will take place from August 31 to September 7 in Riyadh and is open to the entire tour, plus six local wild cards.
The Riyadh Season World Masters, a non-ranking event limited to the world’s top eight, will take place in March and features a new “golden ball” which could increase the maximum break to 167.
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Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve its international reputation through sport are often branded “sportswashing”.
The kingdom hosts a Formula One Grand Prix, the $20 million Saudi Cup horse race and the Dakar Rally.
It will hold a number of major events in the next decade, including the 2034 World Cup.
The country has become a popular destination for top boxing bouts, while the Saudi Pro League has attracted a host of big-name footballers.
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Snooker is the latest sport to head to the Gulf State, with Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn saying: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has forged a reputation for growth and creating new opportunities for sports to grow in a new market to new fans.”
Hearn represents British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua who has fought three times in Saudi Arabia.
