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The World Snooker Tour has announced a first TV event in Saudi Arabia, where there will be an extra 20-point golden ball for players who complete a 147.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, 2019 winner Judd Trump and current holder Luca Brecel will play in the event from 4-6 March.
The other seven players and schedule will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Games will follow current rules but with a 23rd “Riyadh Season ball” pottable on completing a maximum break.
It is not clear at this stage if the ball will be on the table throughout the game, if there will be any penalty for hitting it too early or what a player gains for potting it beyond a 147 in an already-won frame.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority, said: “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 Riyadh Season has to offer.”
Chairman of World Snooker Tour Steve Dawson called it a “great privilege” to stage an event in Saudi Arabia, adding: “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.”
In a post on X,, external formerly known as Twitter, promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Major news for snooker tonight 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 a world with two wildcards and $1m prize pool! March 4-6 let’s go!”
It continues Saudi Arabia’s investment in sport with football’s Saudi Pro League seeing huge investment with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane among the players to go.
England midfielder Jordan Henderson signed a three-year deal, thought to be worth £700,00 per week, in July but left Al-Ettifaq on Thursday for Dutch side Ajax after failing to settle.
The region has also held a number of boxing fights including Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, while there have been Formula 1 races there in the past three seasons.
Tennis have signed a five-year deal for the Next Gen ATP finals to be held there, while there has also been significant investment in golf with the LIV Golf setup and ongoing talks with the American-based PGA Tour.
They are also the sole bidders for the 2034 Fifa World Cup after Australia pulled out.
The nation has long been criticised for its poor human rights record.
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