The World Snooker Tour announced that Saudi Arabia will host the first Snooker Invitational Tournament and introduce a new golden ball to increase the highest single score to 167.
The inaugural Riyadh Season World Snooker Masters will take place in March and will see seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan join 2019 world champion Judd Trump and current champion Luca Bressel Now among 10 players.
This tournament will introduce a 23rd golden ball, known as the Riyadh Season Ball, which is worth 20 points, but can only be pocketed after completing a maximum score of 147 points. The three-day event will be held from March 4 to 6 at Boulevard Arena in Boulevard City, Riyadh.
General Entertainment Authority chief executive Faisal Bafarat and World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson as well as Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh And sports promoter Eddie has confirmed a deal that will see snooker join a host of other sports in Saudi Arabia in recent years. Hearn and Barry Hearn.
Dawson said: “The World Snooker Tour is proud to be working with consultant Turki Arasheh to host the event in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
“This is a huge breakthrough for snooker into new territory and we see this as the start of a new adventure for our sport in the region. We look forward to being part of the Riyadh season and competing in a sport featuring some of the best players in the world. exciting new events.
“We are honored to be able to bring our sport to the amazing city of Riyadh, and for local fans it will be their first chance to see some of the greats in snooker history.”
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the event will feature the top eight players in the world and will include two wild cards and a $1 million prize pool.
Trump believes snooker’s arrival in Saudi Arabia is “amazing” for the sport. He told the X World Snooker Tour: “It’s great that snooker can go to different places. It’s great to come back to China and feel valued again.
“I think we’re seeing snooker in new areas now, with exhibitions taking place in different places, and it’s surprising that Saudi Arabia wants to be involved.”
