For the first time in its history, the Winmau World Masters will have John Smith’s, Britain’s biggest selling ale, as associate sponsor and official Winmau shirt patch sponsor.
The 2008 Winmau World Masters, in association with John Smith’s, will be the richest two-day tournament on terrestrial TV when it is screened by BBC TV Sport over the weekend of Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th.
Staged by the British Darts Organisation, it will have record-breaking prize money of £61,000.
Gareth Turner, Senior Brand Manager, John Smith’s said: "We are delighted to extend our support for top-class darts through this exciting partnership with the Winmau World Masters, which complements John Smith’s long and valued association with the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships.
"In addition, we are committed to working with the BDO to promote the sport at grass roots level through the John Smith^s People^s Darts initiative which is currently being played out by pub and club players across the UK."
It also marks the return of the oldest established major in World Darts to The Spa, Bridlington, which has undergone a £20 million re-development.
Ian Flack, Sales & Marketing Director of the Winmau Dartboard Company says:
"We are delighted to welcome John Smith’s as our co-sponsors for 2008. It’s wonderful to have such a nationwide brand leader on board. And the good news continues because Jackpotjoy.com will be the official BDO shirt-patch sponsors for the third consecutive year.
"We are also delighted to be increasing the total prize fund again this year by introducing a highest-checkout prize of £1,000. It clearly reflects the commitment we gave to the players and everyone connected with these great Championships when we signed our 5 year agreement with the British Darts Organisation.
"I have great pleasure in acknowledging the ongoing support of East Riding of Yorkshire Council. We first came to Bridlington in 2002 and now regard it as the home of the World Masters. It will be wonderful to be back in The Spa, which has to be the very best venue in the whole of Yorkshire".
The Winmau World Masters is a true World Championship with players from seventy countries being invited, including darts champions from over 140 national and international events worldwide.
Approximately 300 players will be in Bridlington for this year’s World Masters, which will mark the 35th anniversary of the oldest established major in world darts (1974-2008).
The World Masters not only enjoy darts history, but the Masters titles are also coveted by darts players worldwide.
It is the only major Championship in world darts with four separate finals - Men, Women, Boys and Girls – and attracts thousands of darts players, officials and supporters from right around the globe to Bridlington each year.
