Jeddah, a charming city on the Red Sea coast, is hosting the World Pool Championship 2025, as the global tournament returns to Saudi Arabia for the second consecutive year.
Running from July 21-26, 2025 at the Green Halls, the Championship brings together pool stars from more than 40 countries and underscores Jeddah’s status as a prestigious hub for global sports events.
Wide Participation
Organized by the Saudi Arabian Billiard and Snooker Federation, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Sport and Matchroom Pool, the World Pool Championship 2025 enjoys wide international participation, featuring 128 elite stars from over 40 countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The flagship tournament boasts a significant participation from countries worldwide, including the US, Germany, the Philippines, Poland, and the UK, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, Türkiye, and New Zealand.
This further underscores the pool tournament’s growing global status and highlights the Saudi Sport Ministry’s efforts to attract the world’s largest championships, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to consolidate the Kingdom’s status as a key hub for premier international sporting events.
Prominent Pool Stars
Taking place in Jeddah for the second year in a row, the World Pool Championship 2025 – the pinnacle of World Nineball Tour calendar – features a star-studded list of contestants from across the globe. They include the American World Champion, Fedor Gorst; the Spanish star, Francisco Sánchez Ruiz; the US pool player, Shane Van Boening; Filipino star, Carlo Biado; the German player, Joshua Filler; Chinese Taipei’s Ko Pin Yi; and the British star, Jayson Shaw.
Moreover, the list of participants includes several players from Saudi Arabia, World Nineball Tour (WNT) professionals, players invited by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), and qualifiers from international play-offs.
Heated Competition
Kicking off on Monday, the Championship features 233 matches. It begins with a double-elimination format where players need to win two matches in race-to-nine racks to qualify for the next phase. The single elimination phase involves 64 players competing in race-to-11 racks, until Saturday’s final, featuring a race-to-15 contest.
This year’s edition offers a record-breaking prize pool amounting to $1 million, with the champion getting $250,000. Fans in Saudi Arabia and across the world can watch live coverage throughout the tournament’s six days, as SSC provides live broadcast for Saudi fans, while Sky Sports provides live stream in the UK, and WNT TV in selected regions.
Pool Championship Significance
Ahead of the Championship, pool stars from around the globe expressed their excitement about taking part in this world-renowned tournament in Jeddah. During a press conference on Sunday, an elite of the sport’s stars and key figures emphasized the significance of the tournament and promised a high-level competition.
Speaking at the conference, the President of the Saudi Billiard & Snooker Federation, Nayef Aljawini, said: “We’re excited to welcome this tournament back to the Kingdom. Everyone has been working hard over the past few months, and I’m ready to see it all come to life.”
He also said that this Championship could inspire Saudi players and foster local talents on the international stage. “I truly believe it’s only a matter of time before we see Saudi players competing at the highest level — here in Jeddah or around the world. They have the talent, the commitment, and the passion for the game,” Aljawini noted.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Matchroom, Emily Frazer, said: “It’s brilliant to be back in Jeddah, working alongside the Saudi Billiard & Snooker Federation and the Ministry of Sport.”
Pool Stars Ready for Competition
Moreover, several players shared their thoughts about the thrilling contest. “It feels great to be back — this time as the reigning champion. There’s a lot of pride and responsibility that comes with defending the title, but I’m feeling fully motivated to go out there and give it my all,” the world champion, Fedor Gorst, said.
The Filipino star and winner of the Hanoi Open, Johann Chua, said: “I’m ready — more prepared than I’ve ever been for the World Pool Championship. Last year was a blessing to reach the semi-finals, and it started an amazing journey. I went on to win the Hanoi Open and the Reyes Cup with Team Asia. That run all began right here in Saudi Arabia, and it feels good to return to where it all started.”
Furthermore, the Saudi player, Khaled Alghamdi, took pride in his participation in the competition. “Having this prestigious event in the Kingdom is important not just for me — it’s huge for all Saudi players. It gives us a chance to meet the pros and learn what it takes to become a World Champion,” he said.
Jeddah: A Rising Sporting Hub
Jeddah is consolidating its position as a rising hub for global sports events, hosting diverse championships and tournaments throughout the year, such as the Spanish Super Cup, E-Prix races, Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and E1 World Championship.
Hosting the World Pool Championship 2025 aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategy to enhance its global presence across niche sports, to further advance the objectives of Vision 2030 to diversify sport activities and boost seasonal tourism.
Additionally, hosting the elite tournament for the second year in a row highlights the high organizational readiness of sport’s infrastructure in the Kingdom and bolsters Jeddah’s status as a summer destination that combines sport competitions and coastal tourism.
The World Pool Championship 2025 coincides with Jeddah Season, which is attracting a large turnout of local and international visitors. This makes the pool tournament a unique sport, cultural and tourist event.
