Betfair to sponsor World Snooker Championships
Operator replaces Betfred after four-year agreement came to an end in 2012.
Betfair has replaced Betfred as the title sponsor of the World Snooker Championships, the sports’s organising body has confirmed.
World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn (pictured) confirmed the agreement via his Twitter account, before adding in a statement: “We are thrilled to welcome Betfair as title sponsor for the first time. They have shown tremendous support for our events this season and the exposure they have already gained for their brand on a worldwide scale has been phenomenal.”
Betfred had sponsored snooker’s flagship tournament for the past four years, following a deal announced before the 2009 championships, after previous sponsor 888 had cut short its five year sponsorship agreement.
While this represents the first time Betfair has attached its name to the World Championships, the Gibraltar-licensed operator sponsors other events in the sport including the Masters (held in the UK) and the German Masters.
Barry Orr, spokesman for the operator, said: “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with World Snooker, and the opportunity to further increase our commitment to the sport through title sponsorship of this marquee event is an exciting prospect.”
The tournament is set to begin on 20 April at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with the final being played on 6 May, and will feature players including reigning world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and world number one Judd Trump.