The PDC has continued its strong relationship with the UK gambling sector, unveiling sponsorship deals with both Betfred and Ladbrokes Coral this week.
Ladbrokes has been confirmed as the new title sponsor for multiple PDC tournaments including this weekend’s much anticipated Players Championship Finals. Whilst Betfred has been announced as the ‘official title sponsor’ for the ‘PDC World Matchplay’ tournament.
Held every July at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool (Lancashire), the World Matchplay tournament is the PDC’s second longest running pro darts event (first staged 1994)
Confirming Betfred as title sponsor for the next three years, the PDC revealed that from 2019 the ‘Betfred World Matchplay’ will have a record prizepool of £700,000, an increase of circa £200,000 from previous tournaments.
With the support of Betfred, PDC Chairman Barry Hearn anticipates that 2019 will be the biggest edition of World Matchplay darts, with PDC’s leading 32 athletes competing at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn commented: “I couldn’t be happier to see Betfred involved in one of the biggest in events in the darts calendar.
“We had committed to increasing prize money across the PDC circuit, and this announcement of an increase for the Betfred World Matchplay will be followed by more good news for players in the coming weeks.”
Backing the PDC partnership, Betfred Founder Fred Done added: “We have always enjoyed a great working relationship with Barry Hearn so I am delighted to have agreed to a deal to link up with Barry and the PDC to sponsor one of the biggest tournaments in world darts.”
The deal with Ladbrokes means that Ladbrokes becomes the primary sponsor of the Masters and UK Open from next year, capitalising on the opportunity presented with the Coral brand picking up the sponsorship of the UK Open.
Hearn emphasised that the deal highlights the companies’ commitment to ‘action packed’ PDC events, which commence this weekend.
“It’s wonderful to be working with Ladbrokes again and this deal shows their ongoing commitment to a wide range of PDC tournaments,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
Ladbrokes have a long-held association with the PDC and this deal will showcase their brand across three of our biggest televised events over the next four years.