Have a ‘ball’ at maiden ‘Riyadh Season Ball’!

Image: Billiards and Snookers, Derbeth, CC BY 2.0

The first World Snooker Tour event to be held in Saudi Arabia will feature a new golden ball worth 20 points.

‘ARAB NEWS’ stated that known as the ‘Riyadh Season Ball’, it will allow players on a maximum break to aim for a total of 167.

It is as yet unclear whether the new 23^rd ball will be present throughout the game – and if so, what penalty might be applied for hitting it early – or introduced at 147, though aside from this, the rules will remain the same.

The event, set to be held for three days from March 4^th, will feature world champion Luca Brecel (Belgian snooker player), 2019 winner Judd Trump (English snooker player) and seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan (English snooker player), along with seven other players.

‘ARAB NEWS’ quoted Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, as stating, “We are thrilled to be hosting our first-ever professional snooker tournament in the Kingdom. Snooker is watched and played by millions around the world, and we look forward to welcoming some of the greatest players and snooker fans to our country and showing them what Saudi Arabia and the Riyadh Season has to offer.”

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)-based the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, formerly the General Authority for Entertainment, is a Government department in Saudi Arabia that regulates the entertainment industry of the country. It provides recreational opportunities for all segments of the society in all regions to enrich lives, spread joy and inspire the private sector to build and develop entertainment activities.

Stated Steve Dawson, World Snooker Tour Chairman, “This is a huge breakthrough for snooker into a new territory, and we see this as the beginning of a new adventure for our sport in the region.”

The World Snooker Tour is the main professional snooker tour, consisting of approximately 128 players competing on a circuit of up to 28 tournaments each season.

Eddie Hearn, Sports Promoter, posted on X, “Major news for snooker … as we confirm the first major TV tournament in Saudi Arabia! The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker will feature the top eight players in the world with two wildcards and $1m prize pool! March 4^th-6^th let’s go!”

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