ManBetX teams with World Snooker in sponsorship extension

Asian focused bookmaker ManBetX has been announced as the title sponsor of two upcoming World Snooker ranking events, The Welsh Open and The Gibraltar Open.

Emanating from the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, The ManBetX Welsh Open, one of the sports longest running tournaments and an ever present on the calendar since 1992, begins today (Monday 26 February) and runs until Sunday 4 March.

Amongst the 129 strong field vying for the trophy are defending champion Stuart Bingham, as well as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby and John Higgins.

Alternatively the ManBetX Gibraltar Open is set to run from Wednesday 7 March to Sunday 11 March, and will be held at the territory’s Tercentenary Sports Hall.

First staged in 2015 and won last year by Shaun Murphy, the champion will be back to defend his title, alongside Barry Hawkins, Luca Brecel, Jimmy White and Chinese world number one, and world number four, Ding Junhui.

Barry Hearn, World Snooker Chairman, said: “We are thrilled to welcome ManBetX on board for the first time. These are two fantastic world ranking events to look forward. Snooker continues to grow rapidly as a global sport and these tournaments will be watched by many millions of fans via the coverage on BBC Wales and Eurosport, bringing tremendous exposure to the ManBetX brand.

“We have seen sensational snooker on our tour so far this season with many of the top guns firing their way to the big titles. It will be fascinating to see where the trophies go in the coming weeks and we look forward to working with the ManBetX team.”

Scott Taylor, Partner at Project11, added: “We are delighted to lead with ManBetX’s expansion into snooker. This follows on from ManBetX’s current front of shirt sponsorship with Crystal Palace.

“These two prestigious title sponsorship’s are the perfect fit to further the reach of the ManBetX brand. It’s been great working with World Snooker – another marquee sporting property within the Project11 portfolio.”