Betfred extends World Snooker Championship sponsorship

Betfred has extended its title sponsorship of the World Snooker Championship until at least 2021.

The bookmaker has supported each edition of the event since 2015, having also served as title sponsor between 2009 and 2012.

Betfred’s existing agreement, signed in May 2016, had been due to expire after this year’s World Snooker Championship, which is currently taking place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, from April 20 until May 6.

“We absolutely love sponsoring the World Snooker Championship; it’s a fabulous event which receives massive exposure around the world,” Betfred chairman Fred Done said. “We look forward to working with World Snooker for years to come.”

Barry Hearn, chairman of event organiser World Snooker, added: “This is our biggest event and it is fitting that we are working alongside a fantastic sponsor. Half a billion people across the planet will be fixed to the action over the coming days as the 2019 Championship reaches its conclusion.”

Mark Williams won the 2018 edition of the World Snooker Championship, seeing off John Higgins 18-16, but lost to David Gilbert in the second round of this year’s event.

Higgins has progressed to the semi-finals, alongside David Gilbert, Gary Wilson and Judd Trump.