Riyadh Snooker Championship 2025 Tickets, Seeds and Schedule
Three days at Boulevard City
Seeds and star power
The $1m “gold ball” shot
Local wildcards open Day 1
Three nights, a gold-ball jackpot, and a bracket stacked with champions at Boulevard City.
Riyadh Season’s non-ranking showpiece returns to Boulevard City with a tight three-day bracket, star names in every round, and a rules twist that keeps snooker fans talking: the gold ball.
The format is traditional match play for frames and fouls, yet the scoring ceiling changes when a player completes a 147 and unlocks a final shot at 167. The first to land it in Riyadh walks away with $1 million on top of any event prize.
Riyadh Season Snooker Championship 2025 — Matches
Times are local — Arabian Standard Time (AST). Edit time/result inline.
Round 1 Wed 19 Nov
Round 2 Wed 19 Nov
Quarterfinals Thu 20 Nov
Semifinals Fri 21 Nov
Final Sat 22 Nov
Snooker Championship Dates, venue & broadcast
- When: 19–21 Nov 2025
- Where: Boulevard City, Riyadh (Global Theatre used previously under Riyadh Season)
- Type: World Snooker Tour invitational, non-ranking
- UK broadcast: TNT Sports; WST and partners carry feeds in other regions.
Riyadh Snooker Format and Match Lengths
Field: 12 players
Match lengths: Best-of-7 up to the semis; best-of-9 final.
Entry path: Seeds 9–10 face two Saudi wildcards in Round 1; winners meet seeds 7–8 in Round 2; the top six seeds enter at the quarterfinals.
Riyadh Season Snooker — Featured Players
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What is the Riyadh “Gold Ball”?
The gold ball sits on the baulk cushion from the start of each frame. It is not in play until a player completes a full 147 (15 reds with 15 blacks, then yellow to black). Only then may the player attempt the gold ball for a 167 “super-maximum.”
Riyadh offered a $500k bounty in 2024 and now lists $1m for the first verified 167 at this event series. No one has done it yet.
Why this field matters
Saudi debuts: Zho and Robertson make their first Riyadh Season Championship appearances, adding fresh dynamics to the quarterfinal bracket.
Schedule, tickets, and tips for visitors
Sessions: Evening sessions across three days in Arabian Standard Time (AST).
- NOV 19-21 2025
Getting there: Ride-hailing to Boulevard City drop-offs is the easiest route. Allow buffer time for security and to find your block.
Family tips: Noise rises during walk-ons and frame-deciders. Ear protection helps younger fans.
Accessibility: Boulevard City venues provide accessible routes and prayer rooms near major gates.
WST Chairman Steve Dawson highlighted the importance of the event, noting, “It’s fantastic to see snooker gaining traction in Saudi Arabia, and we look forward to building on this momentum in December. The players are more motivated than ever to make the top 10 and compete for a place in what will be an extraordinary tournament.”
FAQs
Who won the snooker championship in Riyadh?
Ronnie O’Sullivan won the inaugural invitational in March 2024 and Mark Allen won the December 2024 edition. The 2025 champion will be decided between 19–21 November 2025 at Boulevard City.
Is Riyadh snooker a ranking event?
No. The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship is a World Snooker Tour invitational (non-ranking) with a 12-player field.
How long is Riyadh Season 2025?
Riyadh Season opened on 10 October 2025 and runs through the cooler months, with select arena shows extending into early 2026. Dates vary by event.
What is the highest break in snooker in Riyadh?
The event allows a 167 “super-maximum” using a 20-point gold ball that becomes playable only after a completed 147. A verified 167 pays a $1,000,000 bonus.
Riyadh snooker championship winners
- Mar 2024 — Ronnie O’Sullivan (runner-up: Luca Brecel)
- Dec 2024 — Mark Allen (runner-up: Luca Brecel)
- Nov 2025 — To be decided (19–21 Nov)
Riyadh Snooker Championship 2024
There were two stagings in 2024. O’Sullivan won in March; Allen won in December. Both used the gold-ball rule and a non-ranking format.
Riyadh Snooker Championship 2025
Dates: 19–21 Nov • Venue: Boulevard City • Field: 12 players • Seeds: Mark Allen (1), Zhao Xintong (2), Judd Trump (3), Kyren Wilson (4), Neil Robertson (5), Mark Williams (6), Ronnie O’Sullivan (7), John Higgins (8) + Ding Junhui (9), Shaun Murphy (10) + two Saudi wildcards.
Riyadh snooker championship live
Live coverage is carried by WST broadcast partners (e.g., TNT Sports in the UK) and regional rights-holders. Check your TV guide for local listings.
Riyadh snooker championship schedule
Day 1 (Wed): Round 1 + Round 2 • Day 2 (Thu): Quarterfinals • Day 3 (Fri): Semifinals • Final (Sat): Best-of-9. All times in AST.
Riyadh Snooker Championship prize money
Invitational purses are announced by organizers before the event. Separately, the first verified 167 at this championship earns a $1,000,000 gold-ball bonus.
Riyadh Snooker golden ball
A special 20-point ball sits on the baulk cushion. It becomes playable only after a 147 is completed; potting it creates a 167 “super-maximum.”
Riyadh Snooker schedule
Evening sessions over three days; times are published in Arabian Standard Time (AST). Arrive early for security and to locate your block.