The snooker world is set for an electrifying three days as the groundbreaking Riyadh Season Snooker Championship returns to the Globe Theatre in Riyadh. This third edition of the tournament promises unprecedented drama, featuring a record-breaking prize fund of £785,000 and the tantalising possibility of a £760,000 bonus for a historic break.
The Multi-Million Pound Golden Ball Rule
At the heart of the excitement is the unique 'Riyadh Season golden ball'. This is a 20-point golden cue ball that sits on the table, offering players a shot at snooker history and a life-altering cash reward.
The golden ball is placed on the baulk cushion at the start of each frame. It remains in play for as long as a maximum 147 break is still possible for either competitor. The moment a 147 becomes mathematically impossible, the ball is removed.
Here is the crucial part: after a player pots the final black to complete a 147, the golden ball becomes the next legal object. Potting it adds 20 points, creating the sport's first-ever 167 break and triggering an instant £760,000 ($1 million) bonus.
Unlike previous years, this massive bonus is now paid every single time a player achieves a 167. There is no limit, meaning multiple perfect breaks could result in multiple million-dollar payouts.
Record Prize Money and Star-Studded Lineup
The total prize pool of £785,000 makes this the most valuable three-day event in snooker history. The champion will pocket a staggering £250,000, a sum only surpassed by the winner's cheque at the World Championship.
The full prize money breakdown is as follows:
- Winner: £250,000
- Runner-up: £125,000
- Semi-finalists: £75,000
- Quarter-finalists: £50,000
- Round 2 losers: £25,000
- Round 1 losers: £5,000
A field of twelve elite players will compete, including ten invited superstars and two Saudi wildcards. The line-up is a who's who of snooker greatness:
- Mark Allen (defending champion)
- Ronnie O'Sullivan
- Judd Trump
- John Higgins
- Neil Robertson
- Luca Brecel
- Shaun Murphy
- Mark Williams
- Ding Junhui
- Kyren Wilson
- Zhao Xintong
- Plus wildcards Ziyad Al-Qabbani and 15-year-old Ayman Alamri
Tournament Format and What to Expect
The action begins with two first-round matches. Ding Junhui faces Ziyad Al-Qabbani, while Shaun Murphy takes on the young prodigy Ayman Alamri. The winners will advance to face John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan respectively in the second round.
The remaining eight top players enter the competition at the quarter-final stage. The draw sets up thrilling clashes, including Kyren Wilson vs Neil Robertson and Judd Trump vs Mark Williams. Defending champion Mark Allen and world champion Zhao Xintong await the victors from the second round.
All matches up to the semi-finals are a fast-paced best-of-7 frames, ensuring quick, aggressive snooker. The final will be a best-of-9 frames contest, deciding who takes home the coveted title and the quarter-million-pound prize.
With the golden ball incentive and a field packed with the sport's biggest names, the 2025 Riyadh Season Snooker Championship is poised to be a landmark event, potentially witnessing a moment of sporting history that could make one player significantly richer in an instant.
