Players slam ‘very disappointing' announcement of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters cancellation
Former World Championship finalist Barry Hawkins said it was 'very annoying' and a 'massive tournament to lose'
www.independent.co.ukDirect answer: The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters has been cancelled for future editions, with the World Snooker Tour confirming that planned events will not take place beyond the 2025 season. This has been widely reported by multiple outlets in late April 2026.
Key points
- What happened: The World Snooker Tour and the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation mutually agreed not to proceed with future editions of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and related World Pool Championship events. This effectively ends the tournament under the current arrangement.[3][6]
- Timing and reaction: The cancellation was announced in late April 2026, just after the 2025 editions had concluded; players and officials expressed disappointment and frustration at the news.[4][6][7]
- Prize context: The Saudi Arabia Masters had been promoted as a major event with a substantial prize fund (notably around £2.3 million), making its cancellation a notable shift in the tour’s calendar.[6][3]
- Background factors: While detailed internal reasons were not fully disclosed in every report, coverage points to shifts in Saudi sports investment strategy and spending reviews affecting big-money events, alongside broader regional sport investments.[4][6]
What this means for fans and players
- For players: A loss of a high-profile ranking event and its large prize pool; several players publicly criticized the lack of clearer advance notice and the manner of communication.[7][3]
- For the tour: The calendar loses one of its marquee events outside the UK, potentially reshaping year-end rankings and player opportunities.[3][6]
Where to read more
- BBC Sport summary on the cancellation and players’ reactions: BBC Sport Snooker articles on the Saudi Arabia Masters cancellation.[10]
- Independent coverage with player quotes and broader context: Independent article on the cancellation and reaction from players.[3]
- Sporting Life recap of the WST confirmation: Sporting Life piece confirming the end of the Saudi event.[6]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest concise timeline of events, or compile a quick pros/cons table showing implications for players, the tour, and fans. I can also fetch current commentary from specific players or organizations if you have names in mind.