Potential Divide Looming in World Snooker Tour Due to Investment from Saudi Parties?
The world of snooker has been abuzz with speculation regarding a potential Saudi Arabian-backed rival tour, causing ripples among players and tournament organisers alike.
According to reports, the World Snooker Tour (WST) has made it clear that events should not overlap with their own, and players cannot enjoy the benefits of both simultaneously. This statement comes amidst uncertainty about whether some players will indeed agree to play on the proposed tour.
Shaun Murphy, a prominent snooker player, has expressed concern about players considering leaving the Main Tour of the WST. He believes that those who participate in a rival tour should be excluded from the WST, following the rules set by the governing body.
Ronnie O'Sullivan, another snooker legend, has shown interest in the possibility of the Snooker World Championship being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, he has already signed a three-year contract binding him to the WST, making a switch to a rival tour unlikely.
Despite the rumours, there is no publicly available detailed information about a Saudi Arabian-funded rival snooker tour involving specific player contracts, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), or explicit potential impacts on the World Snooker Tour.
The ongoing 2025 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, a high-profile tournament held in Jeddah, organised by the Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation in partnership with Matchroom and in cooperation with the World Snooker Tour and the Saudi Ministry of Sports, is a clear example of Saudi Arabia's involvement in snooker. This event, however, is integrated within the World Snooker Tour structure rather than being a separate rival tour.
Judd Trump, a snooker player, has received an offer for the proposed tour but has rejected it. Ronnie O'Sullivan, who has previously played in the Snooker Riyadh Season World Masters in Saudi Arabia and won the tournament, has expressed dissatisfaction with the catering at the Crucible Theatre during the Snooker World Championship.
Barry Hearn, the chairman of the WST, has expressed criticism about the Crucible Theatre not being able to keep up with other venues. Despite this, the current contract for the Snooker World Championship at the Crucible Theatre runs until the year 2027.
Some players, according to Shaun Murphy, may have signed NDAs regarding the Saudi Arabian backers' plans. However, Murphy himself has stated that he did not sign an NDA and has no intention of doing so.
The WST has shown willingness to compromise regarding players participating in other tournaments, allowing up to twelve weeks in a season. As of August 2025, no mainstream snooker news outlets or official tournament organisations have confirmed or covered the existence or details of a Saudi-funded rival snooker circuit with secret contracts and NDAs.
In conclusion, based on the current public information, the Saudi Arabia involvement in snooker appears focused on hosting high-profile, sanctioned events within the existing professional snooker framework, rather than creating or enforcing an alternative rival tour with contractual secrecy or disruptive effects on the World Snooker Tour.
What if Saudi Arabia decided to invest in the world of sports, particularly snooker finance and investing, by establishing a rival tour?Shaun Murphy, considering the rules set by the governing body, believes that players should not be allowed to participate in both the proposed tour and the World Snooker Tour simultaneously.
