Former World Championship finalist Barry Hawkins has labelled the decision to cancel the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters after just two editions as “very disappointing”, with players blindsided by the announcement. The tournament, part of a 10-year deal announced in 2024, was axed following “constructive discussions” between the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom.
The World Snooker Tour confirmed the move, stating: “Following constructive discussions… it has been mutually agreed not to proceed with future editions of the World Pool Championship and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.” The decision means the tour loses its most lucrative ranking event outside the UK, with a total prize fund of £2.3 million and £500,000 for the winner—equal to the World Snooker Championship's top prize.
Speaking after beating Mark Williams 13-9 at the World Championship on Saturday, Hawkins said players only learned of the cancellation via a “stupid email” with no explanation. “What a disappointment. Without sounding rude, something's gone wrong for us to lose that tournament. What's happened to the 10-year contract? It's just been blown out of the water,” he said. “We don't get no explanation, nothing, which is very, very annoying.”
The news comes as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) reassesses its priorities, reportedly pulling funding from LIV Golf after four years and not renewing the WTA Tour Finals deal. The cancellation also impacts players defending ranking points from the tournament, which are tied to prize money in snooker’s two-year rolling system. Mark Williams noted: “Now these guys like Neil Robertson and Judd Trump, they haven’t got a chance to defend that £500,000… Other people down the rankings are going to suffer as well.”
