The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, one of the richest events on the World Snooker Tour calendar, has been cancelled, with key players unhappy on the announcement.
Former World Championship finalist Barry Hawkins known as the information “very disappointing”, saying the players discovered on Saturday morning once they acquired a “stupid email”.
In 2024, a 10-year deal was introduced and the inaugural event was given the unofficial title of the game’s ‘fourth main’ by organisers.
The rating match was the richest outdoors the UK, with a £2.3m prize fund and £500,000 for the winner – equal to the World Championship.
But after only two editions, the match is not going to be held once more.
A press release from the World Snooker Tour mentioned: “Following constructive discussions between The Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom following the conclusion of the 2025 editions, it has been mutually agreed not to proceed with future editions of the World Pool Championship and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.”
Hawkins mentioned he was unhappy with how the players discovered.
Speaking after his 13-9 win over Mark Williams on Saturday within the World Championship final 16, Hawkins mentioned: “What a disappointment. Without sounding rude, something’s gone wrong for us to lose that tournament.
“What’s occurred to the 10-year contract? It’s simply been blown out of the water.
“We don’t get no explanation, nothing, which is very, very annoying. We just get some stupid email saying it’s been stopped. No explanation, nothing. Very disappointing, it’s a massive tournament to lose.
“It’d be fascinating to see the explanation behind it.”
