Ladbrokes continues Darts Sponsorship with new PDC deals
While much of the sporting world is winding down at the end of another long year, things are only just getting started for the planet’s best darts players. The PDC World Championships are just around the corner and throwers are warming up with the Players Championship Finals which get underway in Minehead on November 24.
In a timely piece of news, long-established sports betting company Ladbrokes has been confirmed as the title sponsors for that Players Championship and this will sit alongside a number of additional deals that have been set up for 2019.
Full Package
Along with their backing of the Players Championship Finals, it’s been confirmed that Ladbrokes will also be the primary sponsor for the UK Open and the Masters next year. Both are important events on a growing PDC calendar as darts continues to gain in popularity.
That growth will clearly benefit the Ladbrokes brand as the sportsbook takes advantage of increased exposure from the TV companies with most events, even the PDC minors, enjoying live coverage from selected networks.
That exposure starts in the venues but will also extend to opportunities on digital channels such as official websites and the usual social media routes. It’s big news for Ladbrokes but this is also a welcome announcement for the PDC governing body.
Ongoing Commitment
In welcoming the new arrangements, Chairman of the PDC Barry Hearn said:
It’s wonderful to be working with Ladbrokes again and this deal shows their ongoing commitment to a wide range of PDC tournaments. The new sponsorship begins at this weekend’s Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals, which promises to be an action-packed weekend with coverage live on ITV4 and worldwide. Following the excitement and drama of PDC events recently during our busy autumn period, there is greater interest than ever in the sport and an increasingly high standard being produced by stars on the oche.
Busy Period
Darts has enjoyed such an upturn in popularity that the year is packed with tournaments and it all begins on New Year’s Day when the new World Champion is crowned. From there, the eight best players go straight into the Premier League and there is barely any let up as they move through the calendar months.
More money is poured into the sport now than ever before but darts still needs the support of companies such as Ladbrokes whose sponsorship helps to keep prize money high, thereby attracting the best players on the circuit.
2018 has also seen a more competitive period and while Mighty Michael Van Gerwen has tended to dominate the sport in recent years, that hasn’t been the case this time around. With more competition, extra viewers have been turned on to the sport and that looks set to continue through 2019 and beyond.
Ladbrokes’ sponsorship begins with Van Gerwen’s defence of the Players Championship Finals series in Minehead and the company will have a visible presence through 2019. It’s a well balanced deal and thanks in part to the operator’s input, the future of darts is exceptionally bright.