Betvictor Hits Bull With Matchplay Partnership
The PDC has confirmed BetVictor as the new title sponsor of the BetVictor World Matchplay, the organisation’s second oldest major, which will celebrate its 20th staging in July 2013.
The nine-day event, first held in 1994, will be staged this year at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from 20th to 28th July with reigning champion Phil Taylor bidding to extend his run of success in the tournament.
“The Power” has won 13 World Matchplay titles and equalled his own record run of five straight victories when he defeated James Wade 18-15 in the 2012 final.
Rod Harrington, the 1998 and 1999 champion, is the only other two-time winner, while America’s Larry Butler, Peter Evison, Colin Lloyd and James Wade have also enjoyed success at the Winter Gardens.
PDC chairman Barry Hearn added: ‘It is a pleasure to welcome BetVictor as the new title sponsors of the BetVictor World Matchplay.’
‘This tournament is a favourite for players, fans and television viewers around the world and enjoys a deserved status as one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.’
‘This year’s BetVictor World Matchplay is already shaping up to be a great tournament, and with the ever-increasing standard of darts I think that last year’s two nine-dart finishes in Blackpool could even be surpassed this summer!’
Barry Hearn was 2013’s first speaker at the Nolan Partners Sport Industry Breakfast Club this year, with ECB chief executive David Collier set to take the stage on 19th June. Memberships to the industry’s premium networking event are still available, book your place today.
Despite his World Matchplay record, Taylor is currently second-favourite to lift this year’s £100,000 title at 3/1 with the sponsors, with new Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen 5/2 to be crowned as the champion in Blackpool.
BetVictor marketing director Karl Riley, said: ‘These are very exciting times in the world of darts and, after a magnificent World Championship and Premier League, we are delighted to lend our name to the BetVictor World Matchplay from the iconic Winter Gardens Blackpool.’
‘It is a venue that invariably brings the best out of Phil Taylor, who has won 13 of the 18 renewals, but Michael Van Gerwen’s brilliant win at The O2 last week means that, for the first time in a very long time, ‘The Power’ is not our favourite for a major tournament.’
The three-year sponsorship deal was brokered by independent sponsorship agency, CMSeven, whose director Charlie Mitchell commented: ‘We’re thrilled to have worked with both BetVictor and the PDC in securing this exciting new partnership for the sport and we look forward to watching it develop over the coming years.’
