World Snooker is delighted to announce that the Shoot Out, one of the most exhilarating tournaments on the calendar, will be sponsored by Coral for the next two years.
The Coral Shoot Out will run from February 23 to 26 with the venue and ticket details to be announced soon. It will be televised by ITV4.
Coral was title sponsor of the event for the first time last season and has now extended the agreement for 2017 and 2018.
Since it was first staged in 2011, the Shoot Out has gained vast popularity among fans and TV audiences. It features a one-frame knock out format with all matches lasting a maximum of ten minutes, using a shot clock of 15 seconds for the first five minutes and ten seconds for the last five.
Rapid and dramatic action is guaranteed with many matches going down to the last few seconds. Last season, Finland’s Robin Hull won his first professional title by beating Belgium’s Luca Brecel in the final.
And this season the tournament will gain extra significance as it becomes a world ranking event for the first time, so every pound earned will count towards a player’s ranking tally. That means the event is extended from 64 players to 128 and it will last four days instead of three.
Total prize money will be £146,000 with the winner to collect £32,000.
World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are thrilled to extend our agreement with Coral for an extra two years. They have been fantastic partners of snooker in recent years and we anticipate building on that relationship for many years to come. Snooker’s ever-growing audience, both in terms of fans in the arenas and television viewers, ensures that as title sponsor Coral will generate tremendous exposure for their brand.
“The Shoot Out crates a massive buzz of anticipation when it comes around, it’s an event to enjoy and celebrate for the fans and players. In making it a ranking event for the first time we’ve added an extra edge and put the players under even more pressure when the clock is ticking. Sport at the highest level should be brutally competitive!”
Nicola McGeady, Coral PR Manager, added: “Snooker has evolved and modernised over the last few years and the Shoot Out has become one of the most exciting events on the calendar since it started in 2011. In the same way Coral has also modernised and innovated to offer the very best betting service, whilst staying true to its proud heritage as one of Britain’s biggest and best known betting brands. Together, the Shoot Out and Coral make a very good fit indeed. We have been sponsors of the UK Championship in the past, and by supporting the Shoot Out once more, we are continuing to show our commitment to the sport.”
Tickets will be on sale soon and must be booked quickly because they will sell out fast.
According to the latest edition of Snooker Scene, the venue for the Shoot-Out has been decided as the Watford Colosseum Feb 24-26.