Saudi Arabia will hold its first major invitational snooker event in March as the kingdom continues to make sizable investments into a growing number of sports.
The "Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker" will take place between March 4 to March 6 at Boulevard Arena in the capital of Riyadh.
Games of snooker — a cue sport like billiards that is very popular in the U.K. and China — will take place under current World Snooker rules but with the introduction of a 23rd ball referred to as the "Riyadh Season" ball.
This golden ball will be worth 20 points but will only be pottable on completing a maximum break.
"We are thrilled to be hosting our first-ever professional snooker tournament in the Kingdom," said Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.
Persons:
Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, Ronnie O'Sullivan —, Luca Brecel, Turki Alalshikh, Alalshikh
Organizations:
Morningside Arena, Boulevard Arena, Saudi General Entertainment Authority
Locations:
Leicester, England, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, China