Coral To Sponsor Snooker Shoot-Out

World Snooker is delighted to announce Coral as the new title sponsor of the Shoot-Out.

The celebrated three-day tournament features fast and furious snooker, with 64 players in a knockout format. Matches last a maximum of ten minutes, with a shot clock ensuring rapid and dramatic action.

The Coral Shoot-Out will run on the weekend of February 12 to 14 and will be staged at the iconic Hexagon in Reading for the first time.

Judd Trump

Televised by ITV4, it will feature top stars including Shaun Murphy, Stuart Bingham, Judd Trump, John Higgins and defending champion Michael White battling for the trophy and £32,000 top prize.

World Snooker Commercial Director Miles Pearce said: “We are thrilled to welcome Coral as title sponsor of the Shoot-Out for the first time. They have previously sponsored the UK Championship so they are aware of the tremendous exposure our sport can achieve for their brand.

“The Shoot-Out has become one of the most exciting and popular events on the calendar since it was first staged in 2011. It has a fabulous atmosphere for the fans in the arena and we’re looking forward to going back to The Hexagon, a venue stepped in snooker history. ITV will broadcast this tournament for the first time which will be a treat for fans on free-to-air television.”

Nicola McGeady, Coral PR Manager, added: “Snooker has evolved and modernised over the last few years and the Shoot-Out has become one of the most exciting events on the calendar since it started in 2011. In the same way Coral has also modernised and innovated to offer the very best betting service, whilst staying true to its proud heritage as one of Britain’s biggest and best known betting brands. Together, the Shoot-Out and Coral make a very good fit indeed. Last year we were proud sponsors of the UK Championship, and by supporting the Shoot-Out, we are continuing to show our commitment to the sport.”

Tickets for the Coral Shoot-Out are on sale now and you can buy a pass for all five sessions for just £75. Fans are strongly urged to book fast as tickets are selling out. For details visit http://www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

Daqing To Host Snooker’s International Championship

Daqing in the north-east of China will host a world ranking event for the first time this season when the 2015 International Championship comes to the city.

The tournament will run from October 25 to November 1 at the Baihu Media Broadcasting Centre in Daqing, in the west of China’s Heilongjiang province.

The International Championship is the richest snooker event staged outside the UK, with total prize money of £657,000 and the winner to collect £125,000.

Ricky Walden won the title last year by beating Mark Allen 10-7 in the final. The event was first staged in 2012 in Chengdu, won by Judd Trump in that year and Ding Junhui in 2013.

The qualifying round will be staged in Barnsley from September 30 to October 3, with all players needing to win one match to go through to the last 64 at the venue. However the defending champion (Walden), World Champion (Stuart Bingham) and the top two Chinese players will have their matches held over to Daqing.

Oliver Lines

Miles Pearce, World Snooker’s Chief Representative in China, said: “We are delighted to bring a major snooker event to the wonderful city of Daqing for the first time. There is an incredible level of support for snooker throughout China so it’s important to continue to the grow the sport through holding events in new cities.

“The World Snooker International Championship has rapidly become one of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar and will be contested by an extremely strong field. Alongside the promoter CCTVSE we look forward to delivering another top class sporting event.”

The draw will be announced after the entry deadline of September 16th.