Overview
- The World Snooker Tour, which announced the move Saturday, ended a 10-year agreement after events in Riyadh in 2024 and Jeddah in 2025.
- The tournament had been billed as a new “fourth major” with a £2.3 million purse, a £500,000 winner’s prize, and a £50,000 bonus for a 147.
- Players said they were blindsided by an email about the cancellation during the World Championship, with Barry Hawkins calling the notice “stupid” and lacking any explanation.
- Snooker’s rankings use a two-year rolling prize-money system, so past winners Judd Trump and Neil Robertson cannot defend the £500,000 they banked, which could push them down the standings.
- WST also confirmed the World Pool Championship will not return, while reporting links the move to Saudi PIF cutbacks and the tour prepares calendar shifts such as the China Open’s August return with a smaller £1.2 million purse.