What Is 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters was a professional snooker tournament held from August 18 to 25, 2024, in Riyadh, marking the first edition of the event with a prize fund of $2.2 million and won by Judd Trump.

Key Facts

Event took place from August 18–25, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
First edition of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters
Featured 144 professional players in a round-robin and knockout format
Prize purse totaled $2.2 million, one of the richest in snooker history
Judd Trump defeated John Higgins 10–7 in the final to claim the title

Overview

The 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters was a landmark event in professional snooker, hosted for the first time in Riyadh as part of Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in international sports. Organized under the World Snooker Tour and backed by the Saudi Ministry of Sport, the tournament attracted top players from around the globe.

This inaugural edition aimed to expand snooker’s global footprint and was notable for its high prize money and innovative format. The event was held at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, drawing both live and global television audiences.

August 18–25, 2024: The tournament spanned eight days, featuring a mix of round-robin group stages followed by knockout rounds to determine the champion.
144 players: A record number of professionals participated, including all top-16 ranked players, making it one of the most competitive snooker events of the year.
$2.2 million prize fund: This made the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters the second-richest tournament in snooker history, behind only the World Championship.
Judd Trump as champion: The English player won the final 10–7 against Scotland’s John Higgins, securing $750,000 in prize money and his first title of the 2024 season.
Global broadcast: The event was televised in over 120 countries, with peak viewership recorded in the UK, China, and the Middle East.

How It Works

The tournament combined traditional snooker rules with a new group-stage format designed to increase match volume and viewer engagement. Players were seeded based on world rankings and divided into 24 groups of six, with the top two from each group advancing.

Round-robin phase: Each group played best-of-7 frame matches, with points awarded for wins (2 points) and draws (1 point), ensuring high stakes throughout.
Knockout stage: The 48 advancing players entered a single-elimination bracket, culminating in a best-of-19 final held on August 25.
Time constraints: Matches featured a 20-second shot clock in the knockout rounds to maintain pace and enhance broadcast appeal.
Refereeing standards: World Snooker-certified referees officiated all matches, with video review available for disputed rulings.
Player eligibility: Entry was open to all World Snooker Tour professionals, with wildcards granted to two Saudi amateurs to promote local talent.
Prize distribution: The winner received $750,000, while even first-round losers earned $10,000, reflecting the tournament’s generous compensation structure.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters with other major snooker tournaments in terms of prize money, format, and participation.

Tournament	Prize Fund	Format	Players	Location
2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters	$2.2 million	Group + knockout	144	Riyadh
2024 World Snooker Championship	$2.5 million	Knockout only	32	Sheffield, UK
2024 UK Championship	$1.2 million	Knockout	128	York, UK
2024 Shanghai Masters	$2.1 million	Invitational knockout	24	Shanghai, China
2024 Masters (London)	$1 million	Knockout	16	London, UK

The Saudi event stands out for its large player field and hybrid format, differing significantly from the smaller, elite-only tournaments like The Masters. Its prize fund is second only to the World Championship, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a major player in global snooker.

Why It Matters

The 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters represents a strategic shift in the sport’s global landscape, driven by investment from Gulf nations seeking to diversify their sports portfolios. It signals a broader trend of emerging markets hosting elite-level snooker events.

Geographic expansion: The tournament marks snooker’s first major event in the Middle East, opening new markets for fan engagement and sponsorship.
Economic impact: The event generated an estimated $35 million in local economic activity, including tourism and hospitality.
Increased player earnings: With generous prize money, even early-round participants benefited financially, improving sustainability for lower-ranked players.
Media rights growth: Broadcast deals with Eurosport, CCTV, and Saudi Sports Channel boosted global visibility and ad revenue.
Development of local talent: Inclusion of Saudi amateurs and youth clinics during the event aim to grow the sport domestically.
Long-term legacy: Saudi officials announced plans for a $100 million snooker academy in Riyadh, with the Masters expected to return annually.

The success of the 2024 edition positions the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters as a potential future ranking event and a cornerstone of the sport’s international expansion strategy.