Snooker set to move away from Saudi Arabia as Barry Hearn explains crisis

Jack Otway
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:18:26 +0000

Saudi Arabia's sweeping reductions to global sports investment are compelling snooker to shift one of its lucrative Saudi-based events to Qatar.

The kingdom's Public Investment Fund has begun withdrawing from ventures deemed insufficiently profitable, following revisions to the Vision 2030 economic strategy.

These cutbacks are sending ripples across multiple sporting disciplines.

LIV Golf executives convened an urgent meeting in New York last week to address the tour's prospects, with financial backing anticipated to cease in August.

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Matchroom, the sports promotion giant, has likewise been exploring alternative arrangements in response to Saudi Arabia's changed approach.

The developments mark a significant shift for sports organisations that had increasingly relied on Saudi funding in recent years.

Barry Hearn, the Matchroom chief, acknowledged the difficulties facing his organisation.

"Saudi is a problem," he stated.

"We don't know where that problem's going to lead to but we've got good influence there, particularly through the boxing, and all the other sports that we do, so we will be fine."

Hearn described the current period as "a terribly difficult time for the Middle East," noting that Saudi Arabia is scaling back across various sports, including LIV Golf and Olympic disciplines.

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Despite the uncertainty, he expressed confidence in finding alternative venues.

"We can't interfere with what's going on at the moment," he said, adding that snooker would maintain some presence in Saudi, though specifics remain unclear.

Discussions are underway regarding a new Chinese event and an additional Middle Eastern tournament.

Prior to Monday's announcement, the kingdom hosted two high-value snooker competitions: the Saudi Arabia Masters and the Riyadh Season Championship.

The latter tournament featured a particularly eye-catching incentive, offering competitors a £760,000 bonus for potting a Gold Ball to achieve a 167-break.

Saudi Arabia had also been strongly tipped as a potential future home for snooker's World Championship.

However, the sport committed to keeping its flagship event at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, signing an agreement that extends through to 2045.

This long-term deal with the iconic venue was secured before the current funding difficulties emerged, ensuring the championship remains on British soil for the next two decades.

LIV Golf's future beyond the current season remains uncertain.

Chief executive Scott O'Neil recently said the breakaway series is "funded through the season" and would then "work like crazy" to continue operating.

When questioned about suggestions that funding was guaranteed until 2030, O'Neil responded: "It's just not the way the world works. We have commitments to have this being a going concern."

He compared LIV's situation to any private equity-backed enterprise, emphasising the need to develop a sustainable business model.