William Hill signs 2 year sponsorship deal with PDC

Posted: 09.07.14 in Darts Performance Centre Blog category

British sports betting institution William Hill have inked a two year deal with the Professional Darts Corporation

British sports betting institution William Hill have inked a two year deal with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) that will see them sponsoring the World Darts Championship that will be held at the end of 2014 at Alexandra Palace, London.

The two year deal is an initial agreement with an option to extend, and it marks the second successful darts sponsorship that William Hill has undertaken. Previously the betting company, which now focuses a large amount of attention on its online facilities, sponsored the Grand Slam of Darts held at Wolverhampton Civic Hall from 2011 to 2013.

Virtual sports betting and gaming at online casinos like Riverbelle has increased dramatically in recent years, and William Hill has been at the forefront of the virtual bookmakers industry. The seven figure sponsorship deal between Britain’s biggest bookmaker and the PDC once again highlights the bookmaker’s interest in promoting sports and affiliating themselves with prestigious competitions. The bookies are now the title sponsor of the event which has been renamed the ‘William Hill Word Darts Championship’.

The tournament ,which is held over December and January will feature 72 players and be broadcast live on Sky Sports TV channel, with the first 2015 World Champion being crowned at its conclusion. The reigning champion of the WDC is Michael van Gerwen who defeated Peter Wright on New Year’s Day and is the current early favourite, with the odds firmly in his favour to once again lift the Sid Waddell Trophy. Van Gerwen’s only big competition at the moment appears to be 16 times World Champion, Phil “The Power” Taylor, but as the tournament draws closer this may change.

William Hill was delighted to announce their sponsorship of the tournament and their chief marketing Officer, Kristof Fahy said,  "the World Darts Championship was a great addition to the brands sports portfolio and that it was a great fit combining the world’s biggest event in darts with the UK’s biggest bookmakers."

The sponsorship of the tournament is an indication to darts fans at the rapid pace of which the sport is growing, and the William Hill association will bring about even more positive publicity and increase interest in the game.