Betfred extends its title sponsorship deal with World Snooker

World Snooker have announced that Betfred has extended its title sponsorship of the World Championship for an extra two years. Snooker’s biggest tournament will continue to be called the Betfred World Championship until at least 2019.

This year’s event finished on Monday with Mark Selby beating Ding Junhui 18-14 in the final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. A global audience of over 300 million watched the tournament on television, while tickets for the venue were sold out weeks in advance.

Betfred sponsored the World Championship from 2009 to 2012 and then signed a new three-year deal in 2015 which was due to run until 2017, but this has now been extended by two more years.

Fred Done, Boss of Betfred, said: “After a terrific tournament this year I am delighted to be extending our relationship with the World Snooker Championship for a further two years.

“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.”

Barry Hearn, World Snooker Chairman, added: “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.

“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.

“This year we saw so many dramatic matches, exciting moments and a remarkable standard of play, with the record of 86 century breaks equalled. Our sport continues to grow and the Betfred World Championship is the flagship event.”