SNOOKER is back with one of the biggest prize pots ever – as the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is being held in Riyadh for its inaugural event.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is no stranger to taking home a huge Saudi cheque following his inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker win in March.
Ronnie O’Sullivan (R) beat Luca Brecel (L) in the first-ever Saudi snooker final[/caption]
The Rocket beat Luca Brecel 5-2 and pocketed a staggering £250,000 for his triumph.
However, there is even more cash up for grabs at what will be Saudi’s second snooker competition.
And big hitters such as Ali Carter, Judd Trump and of course, O’Sullivan will all want a piece of the pie.
Furthermore, The Rocket will be just as hungry following his Xi’an Grand Prix semi-final exit just last week.
Find out the Saudi Arabia Snookers Masters 2024 prize money below.
What is the Saudi Arabia Snookers Masters 2024 prize money?
The winner is set to get DOUBLE what Ronnie O’Sullivan earned for being crowned king of the Riyadh Season World Masters Snooker event.
And there will also be an extra £50,000 for anyone who can secure a 147 break.
- Winner: £500,000
- Runner-up: £200,000
- Semi-finals: £100,000
- Quarter-finals: £50,000
- Last 16: £30,000
- Last 32: £20,000
- Last 48: £11,000
- Last 80: £7,000
- Last 112: £4,000
- Last 144: £2,000
- 147 Break: £50,000
- Total: £2,302,000
How does this compare to other snooker tournament’s prize money?
The Saudi Arabia Snookers Masters prize pot has jumped up to the second biggest amount on the list.
- Champion of Champions – £440,000
- World Cup – £635,000
- The Masters – £725,000
- Shanghai Masters – £751,000
- China Championship – £751,000
- World Open – £772,000
- Riyadh Season World Masters – £789,000
- International Championship – £802,000
- China Open – £1,000,000
- UK Championship – £1,009,000
- Saudi Arabia Snookers Masters – £2,302,000
- World Championship – £2,395,000
What has been said?
Former World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn is in favour of the bigger prize pots.
“Common sense says I have a fiduciary duty to the players to provide the biggest prize money because they’re professional athletes.
“And there is no point in saying: ‘Oh, think of the history’. You can’t eat history.
“Sport, to be progressive, has got to provide bigger and bigger prize funds or it is not going to be competitive in today’s world, and will no longer be aspirational to young people that we want to see come into the sport.”
When is the Saudi Arabia Snookers Masters 2024 and where can I watch it?
- The tournament begins on Friday, August 30 with the final taking place on Saturday, September 7.
- It will be broadcast live on Eurosport in the UK and also streamed on the Discovery+ website/app.
- Alternatively, SunSport will blog all the action from Riyadh as it happens.
