Saudi Arabia set to welcome first pro snooker event with ground-breaking new 167 maximum golden ball prize
Riyadh Season will next week be the host for Saudi Arabia’s first-ever professional snooker event which will include the innovation of a Golden ball, giving the sport’s elite players the chance to score a unique 167 maximum and a substantial cash prize.
The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker, which will be broadcast live globally on Eurosport and DAZN, will run from 4-6 March in Boulevard City, Riyadh, featuring the world’s top ten players - Luca Brecel, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, Ali Carter, John Higgins and Ding Junhui – who will contest the trophy, alongside wild cards Omar Alajlani and Ali Alobaidli and all will be chasing snooker history.
A 23rd ball, which will be gold and known as the Riyadh Season ball, will be worth 20 points and can only be potted at the end of a 147 maximum. The first player to make the 167 will be awarded a $500,000 (£395,000) bonus by HE Advisor Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).
The rules of the Golden Ball:
• At the start of each frame, the Golden Ball will be placed on the table, in the centre of the baulk cushion.
• If a 147 is possible in the frame, the Golden Ball will remain on the table. If a player completes a 147 maximum, he will then have the chance to pot the Golden Ball to complete the 167.
• Once a 147 is no longer possible, the Golden Ball will be removed from the table, until the start of the next frame.
• Any foul or infringement involving the Golden Ball incurs a penalty of 4 points or the value of the ball ‘on’, whichever is greater.
“The new Golden Ball is a fascinating idea and something we have never seen in 150 years since snooker was invented! The players are excited about the opportunity to become the first to make a 167 ‘super maximum’ and earn the incredible bonus prize offered by HE Advisor Turki Alalshikh. We are thrilled to be heading to Saudi for our first ever tournament in the Kingdom, working alongside our friends at the General Entertainment Authority, and looking forward to meeting the fans and enjoying the atmosphere at Riyadh Season.”
Steve Dawson
Chairman of WST
Event Prize Money
Round-by-round breakdown
Winner £250,000
Runner-up £125,000
Semi-finals £75,000
Quarter-finals £50,000
Round one £25,000
Preliminary round £5,000
Total £785,000
About Riyadh Season
Saudi Arabia's capital embraces one of the world's biggest entertainment events every year during winter. Since the launch of the Riyadh Season in 2019, the festival has welcomed visitors from all over the world to experience thousands of concerts, sporting activities, and other unique cultural events.
