Betting Sponsors Renew Ties with Snooker Events

Ladbrokes has renewed its sponsorship of snooker’s World Grand Prix and Players Championship, and added the new Tour Championship to the series.

Those three events will make up the Ladbrokes Series of world ranking events in 2019.

The Ladbrokes World Grand Prix will run from February 4-10 in Cheltenham, followed by the Ladbrokes Players Championship from March 4-10 in Preston, then the new Ladbrokes Tour Championship in Llandudno from March 19-24 – with all three events set to be televised live by ITV4.

The top 32 on the one-year ranking list will qualify for the first tournament at The Centaur venue in Cheltenham, then the top 16 will go on to the Guild Hall in Preston, and only the top eight will make it to the final event at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.

There will be a top prize of £100,000 available at the Ladbrokes World Grand Prix, with the winner to receive £125,000 at the Ladbrokes Players Championship, and £150,000 at the Ladbrokes Tour Championship.

Any player winning all three tournaments will receive an extra bonus of £125,000, rounding up his total prize money to £500,000.

Ladbrokes has sponsored the World Grand Prix and Players Championship since 2016.

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World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “The development of the Ladbrokes Series has been one of the most exciting innovations on our global tour in recent years.”

“It means that from the very first ball of the season, players must earn enough money to qualify for these prestigious and lucrative events in the second half of the campaign.

“Adding the Tour Championship to the series makes it so competitive as we will go from 32 to 16 to eight players, with only the very best surviving until the end and, with a possible £500,000 to be won, it is a huge incentive for all of the top stars.

“We are delighted to have Ladbrokes on board for the full series, they have been fantastic supporters of snooker for many years and they are a superb team to work with.

“The viewing figures on ITV and the overall exposure that Ladbrokes receive for their brand from these three events is growing year on year.

“We have three excellent venues for the Ladbrokes Series including a new location in Cheltenham. It’s going to be fascinating to find out which players can go all the way and lift the coveted trophies.”

Adrian Osman, Head Of Sponsorship and Events for the Ladbrokes Coral Group, said: “Having worked with Barry and the World Snooker team for many years we are delighted to be involved in yet another innovation in the sport, with the launch of the Ladbrokes Series.”

Meanwhile, World Snooker has also announced that ManBetX has renewed its title sponsorship of the Welsh Open world ranking event.

The ManBetX Welsh Open will run from 11 to 17 February in 2019, at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.

ManBetX sponsored the event for the first time in 2018, when John Higgins won the title for a record fifth time by beating Barry Hawkins in the final.

Also among the field were top stars including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, and home favourite Mark Williams.

The Welsh Open is snooker’s longest running ranking event other than the UK Championship and World Championship, as it has been staged every year since 1992.

Contested by a field of 128 players, it is the last of the season’s Home Nations series.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with ManBetX on this fantastic tournament.”

“ManBetX have become tremendous supporters of snooker in recent months through sponsorship of some of our biggest events.

“They are clearly delighted with the coverage they receive for their brand as our sport is watched by so many millions of fans around the world.

“The Welsh Open is always one of the highlights of the snooker calendar and we look forward to another week of outstanding action on the green baize in Cardiff in February.”

Scott Taylor, Partner at Project11, said: “The continuation is superb and endorses the impact of the title sponsorship and superior product delivered by World Snooker and Matchroom Sport in their marquee sports portfolio, with which Project11 work closely.”

“We are excited to see the event unfold and the ManBetX brand along with their client base increase.

“Project11 are proud to work with both ManBetX and World Snooker on this, one of many collaborations, as we continue to strive forward in the world of sports marketing.”

ManBetX added: “We are very happy to be placing the ManBetX brand alongside another of the most prestigious events in world snooker, taking our brand to the next level.”

For ticket details on all World Snooker events, see www.worldsnooker.com/tickets