Close on the heels of BOXXER, Matchroom Boxing has now stepped in to ink a groundbreaking deal with Turki Alalshikh‘s Riyadh Season. The news has taken the boxing world by storm. Eddie Hearn’s team and the Saudi promotion have worked closely to bring about a slew of major events, featuring stars like Anthony Joshua, Dmitry Bivol, Jai Opetaia, and Conor Benn. They regroup again next month. Offering yet another thriller, the card billed Night of the Champions is headlined by David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde. It also boasts one of Matchroom’s biggest stars, Jesse Rodriguez.

What’s particularly intriguing about the Matchroom-Riyadh Season deal is that it extends beyond boxing. It includes sports, such as darts and snooker, where Matchroom has a considerable presence. Elated by the prospects, Eddie Hearn shared a few details via Instagram.

Eddie Hearn and HE Turki Alalshikh begin a multi-sport era

Tagging Turki Alalshikh, the English promoter wrote, “Huge deal announced across Boxing, Darts and Snooker..all systems go for Riyadh Season! @turki 🚀 🇸🇦” The slide begins with him and his father, Matchroom founder Barry Hearn, standing alongside Alalshikh. Reportedly, the partnership plans to showcase the first-ever darts tournament in Saudi Arabia.

Established in 1982 by Barry Hearn, Matchroom gained considerable traction as a major promoter of snooker tournaments. It took another five years before the Essex-based promotion ventured into boxing. The 1987 heavyweight bout between Frank Bruno and Joe Bugner became its first boxing fixture.

Since 2021, Eddie Hearn has taken over the reins from his father. Last September, the Matchroom-Riyadh Season collaboration staged the title clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois at Wembley. Then, in late April this year, the hugely successful Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn fight followed. The two fighters are now slated for a rematch on November 15.

A string of blockbuster events has left fans wanting more. Now, other sports may also join the ranks.

Eddie Hearn and Alalshikh: A historic knockout

Scheduled for January 19–20 at the Global Theater, the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters will follow a snooker tournament planned for the November 22 fight week. Some of Matchroom’s top snooker players, including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Allen, may participate in the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.

Speaking about the partnership, Eddie Hearn stated, “We are delighted to enter an exciting partnership with Riyadh Season as our special relationship continues to thrive. … The future is bright, and we are hugely excited to deliver many more unforgettable nights for sports fans all over the world together in partnership with Riyadh Season.”

Turki Alalshikh also expressed his enthusiasm for the Matchroom deal.

“Riyadh Season’s reputation is built on being connected to events that carry huge and global interest, and Matchroom Sport has been an important part of many of these occasions with us so far. We look forward to continuing our relationship and building on what we have already developed together to deliver even more groundbreaking and exciting tournaments and events in the future,” his statement read.

This is a significant step for Matchroom Sport. Riyadh Season will now be a major sponsor and visible partner across boxing, darts, and snooker events. So with two major brands joining forces, fans can expect an integrated, multi-sport broadcast experience.

What’s your take on the Matchroom–Riyadh Season multi-sport partnership?