Matchroom Sport is synonymous with snooker as the company and Chairman Barry Hearn rose to prominence during the great 1980’s snooker boom. Initially managing the stars of the game like Steve Davis, Jimmy White and Dennis Taylor – the company soon produced their first ever snooker event in 1987.
Initially known as the Matchroom League, the event has evolved considerably over the years as it approaches its 25th running in 2010. Since the late 90’s the tournament has been known simply as Premier League Snooker and it has developed into snooker’s strongest international brand.
Since its inception, the competition has been dominated by the biggest names in the sport. In the early years of the event it was Steve Davis who swept all before him and then it was Stephen Hendry’s turn in the 1990’s with six victories. Latterly it has been Ronnie O’Sullivan who enjoyed an unbroken run of five titles in the 2000’s.
A showcase for the major stars of the game, the League moved from being a tape delayed event into a live broadcast in 2005 and is played out on Thursday nights at sell-out venues across the UK throughout the autumn and winter.
In 2008, Matchroom Sport, in association with Perform, introduced Championship League Snooker, a ground-breaking internet only event, produced exclusively for the world-wide betting market.
On the basis that in-running wagers now dominate the gambling market, coupled with the fact that betting companies do not have easy access to internet rights to major sports events, Championship League Snooker fills a huge gap in the market.
Now into its fourth year, CLS features the top 25 players in the world competing in a series of leagues, with the winner of each moving into the final group where the ultimate champion is decided.
MATCHROOM SPORT is delighted to announce an exciting new five year agreement with Sky Sports to bring a variety of outstanding events to the world’s premier sports channel.
Commencing this... April 05 2013
World Snooker is delighted to announce Betfair as the new title sponsor of the sport’s biggest tournament, the World Championship.
The Betfair World Championship will run from April 20 to May... March 25 2013
The Partypoker.com Premier League Poker is back for its 6th season and the tournament returns to London after a two year hiatus. Aspers Casino in Westfield, Stratford in East... March 13 2013
Sky Sports will take its partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation into a 25th year thanks to a new five-year broadcast deal.
The agreement offers Sky Sports viewers over 50 days... March 07 2013
The PGA EuroPro Tour is taking its TV coverage to the next level in 2013 with extra on-course cameras, specialist on-course commentary from former PGA Tour and European Tour star... February 05 2013
Motocaddy has been unveiled as the ‘Official Electric Trolley’ brand of the PGA EuroPro Tour for an eighth consecutive year, supporting a professional circuit that has produced Major winners including... February 05 2013
World Snooker is delighted to announce BetVictor as the new title sponsor of next week's Welsh Open.
The BetVictor Welsh Open will run from February 11-17 at the Newport Centre... February 05 2013
The world's top eight darts players are to visit Dubai this year for the $250,000 Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, which will be played on May 23 & 24 at... January 23 2013
Following the outstanding success of the Betfair Masters, prize money for snooker's greatest invitation event will be increased from £500,000 to £600,000 next year.
The top prize for the 2014... January 21 2013
Matchroom Sport and Sauerland Promotion are delighted to announce that Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler will fight in Britain.
The huge super middleweight rematch is the fight of the year in... January 15 2013
The BBC will continue to broadcast snooker’s biggest domestic tournaments until at least 2017, extending the current agreement by three years.
The BBC will continue as host broadcaster of the World... January 09 2013
THE McCoy's Premier League Darts will feature TEN players in 2013 under a new format which was announced on Wednesday evening, with Michael van Gerwen, Wes Newton and Robert Thornton... January 02 2013
ADRIAN LEWIS will open the defence of his Ladbrokes World Darts Championship against debutant Gino Vos and Phil Taylor will meet Michael Mansell as the pair begin their battle for... December 04 2012
World Snooker is delighted to announce that Betfair will sponsor the Masters for the first time this season.
Snooker’s most prestigious invitation event will be known as the Betfair Masters.... November 08 2012
Fans around the UK will be able to come together in city centres to enjoy World Snooker tournaments this season thanks to the BBC's Big Screens.
The Big Screen coverage will... November 07 2012
