Today, Monday, the world billiards championship (9-ball) kicks off in its first edition in Saudi Arabia, organized by the Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports, in collaboration with the Global 9-Ball Pool Tour. The event takes place at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports Hall in Jeddah.
This edition, which will continue until June 8, features 128 players representing 45 countries from around the world, including the top 100 players from the World Pool Tour, along with 28 qualifiers from the preliminary rounds and participants with invitation cards. The competing stars will engage in 223 matches on 16 tables, making this event the most famous in the world of billiards, with high attendance and viewership.
Notable participants include World Champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, five-time US Open Champion and 2022 World Champion Shane van Boening, and 2018 World Champion Joshua Filler. Alongside 13 players from Saudi Arabia, there are 14 players from the United States, 13 from the Philippines, 8 from China and Chinese Taipei, and 6 from Germany. Additionally, there are 5 players from the UK, 4 from Kuwait and Australia, while 3 players each come from Spain, Greece, and Poland. There are also players from Switzerland, Japan, Vietnam, Albania, Hong Kong, and Norway, as well as one player each from the UAE, Iraq, Oman, Syria, Qatar, Bahrain, Lithuania, Estonia, Venezuela, Denmark, Serbia, Austria, Eritrea, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, and New Zealand.
The event is expected to receive extensive international media coverage, with broadcasts on various global channels and platforms, coupled with significant local and regional media presence, alongside a large audience that enhances the tournament's prestige. Hosting the World Billiards Championship reflects the world's confidence in Saudi Arabia's ability to host major sporting events across different disciplines, confirming its status as a preferred destination for athletes and fans, contributing to the sports goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030 by developing the sports industry, boosting the Kingdom's economy, and fostering a vibrant sports community and distinguished athletes.
