Riyadh Snooker Championship 2025 Results: Zhao Xintong Wins

Four days of snooker, a gold-ball jackpot, and a bracket stacked with champions at Boulevard City. Last updated: 22 October 2026.

Last updated: 22 October 2026. Riyadh Season’s non-ranking showpiece was played at Boulevard City from 19 to 22 November 2025, with a tight four-day bracket, star names in every round, and a rules twist that kept snooker fans talking: the gold ball. Zhao Xintong won the championship, with the final played on Saturday, 22 November 2025.

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 and Results

Played 19-22 November 2025 at Boulevard City, Riyadh. Times shown are local, Arabian Standard Time (AST).

Round 1 Wed 19 Nov

Match 119:00 AST

Global Theatre, BLVD City

Shaun Murphy

GBR

vs

Ziyad Alqabbani

KSA • Wildcard

Match 220:00 AST

Global Theatre, BLVD City

Ding Junhui

CHN

vs

Ayman Alamri

KSA • Wildcard

Round 2 Wed 19 Nov

Match 3Result

Global Theatre, BLVD City

Shaun Murphy

GBR

4-0

Ronnie O’Sullivan

ENG

Result Shaun Murphy beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-0.

Match 4Result

Global Theatre, BLVD City

John Higgins

SCO

4-0

Ding Junhui

CHN

Result John Higgins beat Ding Junhui 4-0.

Quarterfinals Thu 20 Nov

The quarterfinals were played on Thursday, 20 November 2025, when the top six seeds entered the bracket.

Semifinals Fri 21 Nov

The semifinals were played on Friday, 21 November 2025.

Final Sat 22 Nov

FinalSaturday, 22 November 2025

Boulevard City, Riyadh

Zhao Xintong

CHN • Champion

Champion Zhao Xintong won the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship 2025.

Snooker Championship Dates, venue & broadcast

• When: 19-22 Nov 2025. The final was on Saturday, 22 November 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.

Results and schedule

Sessions: Evening sessions across four days, 19-22 November 2025, in Arabian Standard Time (AST). The final was played on Saturday, 22 November 2025, and Zhao Xintong was the champion.

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.”