Betfred Extends Title Sponsorship of World Snooker Championship

UK-based bookmaker, Betfred, has extended its relationship with the World Snooker Championship and has renewed its title sponsorship of the event. The largest event in snooker will be known as the Betfred World Championship for an additional two years, until 2019.

This year’s championship ended last week at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield with English player Mark Selby beating Ding Junhui from China 18-14 in the final. An audience of more than 300 million people watched the event on television with tickets to the live event sold out well before the finals.

“After a terrific tournament this year, I am delighted to be extending our relationship with the World Snooker Championship for a further two years,” announced Fred Done, founder and CEO of Betfred. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the champion Mark Selby and runner-up Ding Junhui for a fantastic final. Our association with this blue riband event is now until at least 2019. I am already looking forward to next year’s championship when we will be celebrating 40 years at the Crucible.”

Betfred was initially the sponsor of the World Snooker Championship from 2009 to 2012. It signed a new three-year agreement in 2015 which was due to expire in 2017, but it has now renewed its sponsorship for a further two years.

“We are thrilled to have the support from Betfred until at least 2019; they are a fantastic sponsor and a great team to work with,” added Barry Hearn, chairman of World Snooker.

“This year’s championship generated incredible viewing figures across the globe and set new records at the box office. And the event is already close to selling out for next year.”

Next year’s event will run from April 15 to May 1, 2017.