Betfred will remain title sponsor of the PDC World Matchplay darts until at least the end of the 2025 competition under a new three-year extension to its partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation.
The bookmaker initially linked up with the PDC’s summer spectacular in 2019, and will now enjoy at least seven years as title sponsor of the Blackpool event under the new agreement.
The three-year extension was confirmed ahead of Sunday’s Betfred World Matchplay final, which saw Michael van Gerwen win his third title with an 18-14 win over Gerwyn Price on the closing day of the nine-day event.
“Our sponsorship of the Betfred World Matchplay has been a brilliant success for the past four years and I’m delighted that we’ll be working with the PDC until at least 2025,” said Fred Done, the head of the Salford-founded bookie whose annual turnover is currently estimated at over £10bn. “You can see from the superb standard of the players and the brilliant, sell-out crowds in Blackpool just how much this tournament means to everyone and we’re already looking forward to 2023 and beyond.”
This year see the men’s event joined by the inaugural Betfred Women’s World Matchplay, which was played on Sunday afternoon and won by Fallon Sherrock.
Over 20,000 fans have packed the Winter Gardens throughout the nine days of action, while the event has also enjoyed worldwide television coverage, featured a record total of 180s and a dramatic nine-dart finish by Price in Saturday’s semi-finals.
“The announcement of our new agreement with Betfred is a great way to end a memorable week,” said PDC chief executive Matt Porter. “Betfred have enjoyed huge exposure over the past four years with their sponsorship of the World Matchplay and we’re delighted to continue to work with them for at least the next three years.”
Financial details of the new deal are still pending, although this year’s event came with a prize pool of £800,000, including £200,000 for the winning player. In return for its investment, Betfred benefits from the exposure of an event that is televised globally, including on Sky Sports in the UK.
The 2023 Betfred World Matchplay will be staged from July 15-23 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, with the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay taking place on Sunday July 23.
