• The 'Crown Jewel' of the World Nineball Tour runs from June 3-8
• 128 players vying for historic glory at the Green Halls with record-breaking prize pool and sport's most prestigious title at stake
• Showcased live around the world through leading global broadcasters, including Sky Sports, SSC, Shahid VIP Sports, MENA, and DAZN.
• Buy spectators tickets to catch the action here.
• Saudi Arabia to host World Pool Championship for the next 10 years in partnership with SABSF, Ministry of Sport and promoter Matchroom Multi-Sport

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – 2 June 2024: Sports fans' wait for Saudi Arabia's latest international sporting event is finally over as the World Pool Championship gets underway at the Green Halls, Jeddah on Monday.

The 'Crown Jewel' of the World Nineball Tour (WNT), the World Pool Championship represents the sport's grandest stage and is the most prestigious event on the professional Nineball circuit.

In partnership with the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation (SABSF) and Ministry of Sport, the 2024 edition makes its first-ever appearance in the Kingdom from June 3-8 – welcoming 128 of the planet's premier cueists for six days of action-packed competition.

The field, which includes the world's top 100 alongside 28 wildcard entrants, will battle it out for historic glory with a record-breaking prize pool and the sport's pinnacle title at stake. Ahead of the event, local and international media came together for the official press conference on Sunday, which set the scene for another outstanding chapter in the Kingdom's sports evolution.

Dr. Nasser Saab Al-Shammari, President of SABSF, said: 'New sporting history is about to be written in Saudi Arabia – and we couldn't be more excited. After delighting global audiences for over three decades while emerging as a phenomenal event loved and admired by millions, we are thrilled that the World Pool Championship is making its inaugural appearance in the Kingdom.

'History shows us that each edition of this illustrious competition is always special – and 2024 will be no different. With the world's greatest players competing for the sport's greatest prize, there's no doubt that all of us are about to witness more incredible sporting moments that entertain and inspire.'

With an illustrious 32-year history in which the event has been held across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is the new home of the World Pool Championship for the next decade. A major 10-year deal between SABSF, the Ministry of Sport, and WNT promoter Matchroom Multi-Sport is destined to present a host of new growth and development opportunities for the sport regionally and globally with players, officials, and fans alike sure to benefit.

Emily Frazer, CEO of Matchroom Multi-Sport, revealed: 'This week represents the start of a new era not only for the World Pool Championship, but also for the sport as a whole. While building on its profile and popularity in other international territories where interest and engagement are especially high, bringing the World Pool Championship to Saudi Arabia represents a tremendous opportunity to take the sport to even greater heights by further boosting access, support, and participation across the region.

'We've seen a genuine buzz and excitement within the community ahead of this event and we're looking forward to a brilliant spectacle. This is a must-attend occasion for every sports fan – and the first of many here in the Kingdom.'

A truly global event, the 2024 World Pool Championship will be broadcast in over 100 territories with coverage across 50 televised hours and 100 streaming hours.

Players from over 40 countries will also compete, including defending world champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (Spain), world #2 Fedor Gorst (USA), reigning UK champion Robbie Captio (Hong Kong), and former world champions Joshua Filler (Germany) and Carlo Biado (Philippines).

Ahead of his title defense, top seed Francisco Sanchez Ruiz said: 'This is one of a few select events that we look forward to the most as players – I can't wait. The World Championship is always special, but being here in Saudi Arabia for the first time means there's an even bigger sense of anticipation. So many huge events have been here recently across all sports – and it's great our sport is joining this list.'

Another at the press conference was Pia Filler, the first female professional player on the World Nineball Tour. She added: 'The opportunities that our sport provides with a level playing field are massive, with many of the world's best players competing for the ultimate prize this week. It will be an exciting week of play in an incredible destination.'

Alongside the sport's biggest names, 13 Saudi Arabian players will also compete as wildcards, fulfilling their lifelong dreams of competing in the World Pool Championship – which also stands as one of two WNT blue ribbon events alongside the US Open.

Ahmed Al Jabbar elaborated on the significance of the occasion, crediting the World Pool Championship as a certain source of inspiration for present and future generations of Saudi players: 'Years from now, when the best Saudi players competing internationally are asked what inspired them to take up this sport; they will say the 2024 World Pool Championship in Jeddah. This is the legacy that this week will leave behind.'

Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing countries in world sport – a journey being propelled by Vision 2030, which seeks to increase weekly participation in sports, cultivate a sports economy, and elevate local athletes' international competitiveness.

Since its inception in 2015, Vision 2030 has inspired never-before-seen levels of engagement and participation across the Kingdom. Within this time, nationwide sports participation has risen by 300%, female weekly activity by 400%, and organized sports groups by 800%.

Hosting international sporting events has also inspired the population and encouraged men, women, boys, and girls to participate in sports. Over 100 events have been held in the Kingdom since 2018, welcoming more than 2.5 million attendees.