Riyadh Season Snooker Championship schedule, TV coverage, prize money and golden ball rules
12/17/2024 12:50 PM
The renamed Riyadh Season Snooker Championship begins on Wednesday, with the golden ball returning with an even bigger prize attached this time round.
The tournament was held for the first time in March this year, then called the World Masters of Snooker and won by Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The Rocket beat Luca Brecel in the final in Riyadh, having beaten John Higgins and Judd Trump to make the showpiece.
The tournament saw the strange addition of the gold ball, which is worth 20 points and can only be potted after a 147 has been made, meaning a 167 is available to players.
John Higgins got closest last year but fell short as the tension mounted, but there is serious incentive to make the historic break in this week’s event.
Last time there was $500,000 on the line for a 167, this time the prize has been bumped up to $1m (£786,000) for the first player to manage it.
The non-ranking tournament sees two Saudi wildcards join the top 10 players in the world rankings in a quickfire three-day event at Boulevard City in Riyadh.
Riyadh Season Snooker Championship draw and schedule
Wednesday 18 December
2pm (UK times)
Ding Junhui vs Abdulraouf Saigh
3pm
Zhang Anda vs Ahmed Aseeri
7pm
Shaun Murphy vs Ding/Saigh
8pm
Luca Brecel vs Zhang/Aseeri
Thursday 19 December
2pm
Mark Selby vs Mark Allen
3pm
Kyren Wilson vs Brecel/Zhang/Aseeri
7pm
Judd Trump vs Mark Williams
8pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Murphy/Ding/Saigh
Friday 20 December
2pm: Semi-finals
7pm: Final
What is the deal with the golden ball?
Each frame will see a gold ball in the centre of the baulk cushion, in line with the brown spot from the start.
The gold ball can only legally be potted after a 147 has been made, it is worth 20 points, meaning a break of 167 is possible.
The first player to make a 167, which has never been done before, will win $1m (£786,000).
As soon as a 147 is no longer a possibility in any frame, the gold ball will be removed by the referee.
As per WST: 'Any foul or infringement involving the Golden Ball incurs a penalty of 4 points or the value of the ball “on”, whichever is greater.'
How to watch the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship
The event is being shown for free on DAZN.
Riyadh Season Snooker Championship prize money
Winner: £250,000
Runner-up: £125,000
Semi-finals: £75,000
Quarter-finals: £50,000
Round two: £25,000
Round one: £5,000
