ManBetX Extend Welsh Open Sponsorship

The sport of snooker has attracted some much needed revenue this week, Firstly we saw the news that Ladbrokes were putting their considerable weight behind three major events on the circuit and now we have ManBetX, an active operator in the sport, renewing one of their existing deals.

It’s important that snooker sponsorship filters down to all events on tour and organisers of the Welsh Open will therefore be delighted that ManBetX have opted for an extension for 2019.

Success

The sportsbook and casino brand first got behind the Welsh Open at the 2018 renewal and were clearly pleased with the response that they received. As such, they have been confirmed as the Title Sponsor for the 2019 edition which will take place at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena between February 11th and 17th next year.

The deal is being taken a year at a time but the fact that the announcement has been made so far in advance helps to guarantee stability and it allows the organisers to focus on continuing to maintain the standard of the event by attracting the world’s best players.

Supporters

Barry Hearn

Chairman of World Snooker Barry Hearn welcomed the announcement by saying:

We are thrilled to extend our partnership with ManBetX on this fantastic tournament. ManBetX have become tremendous supporters of snooker in recent months through sponsorship of some of our biggest events.

The Welsh Open is always one of the highlights of the snooker calendar and we look forward to another week of outstanding action on the green baize in Cardiff in February.

In response, a ManBetX spokesman simply added:

We are very happy to be placing the ManBetX brand alongside another of the most prestigious events in world snooker, taking our brand to the next level.

Series

The Welsh Open is the final event of the Home Nations series which sees earlier tournaments taking place in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Barry Hearn and his team have put up a huge £1 million pound prize for any player who can win all four events in the same season but that’s a big test and so far, the money has been unclaimed.

As a tour tournament, the Welsh Open predates that series, having been first held back in 1992. So far, Mark Williams is the only Welsh snooker player to have won his home event and as the reigning World Champion, there will be a lot of support for the local man here in 2019.

The defending champion in 2019 will be John Higgins who also holds the record for the most Welsh Open wins with five victories. Ronnie O’Sullivan is one behind on four and if he competes in Cardiff, The Rocket is likely to start as favourite to go one better and match Higgins’ record of five trophies.

All ranking events are important but perhaps the Welsh Open lacks the glamour of other prestige tournaments such as the three that Ladbrokes have just offered their support to. In that sense, it’s vital that sponsor money keeps coming in so that the world’s best players will continue to assemble in Cardiff.

ManBetX’s input is therefore to be welcomed and it’s hoped that both parties continue to benefit from this extended contract.