Express & Star

Bullseye for bwin with two-year deal to sponsor Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton

Online gaming giant bwin is to sponsor the Grand Slam of Darts under a new two-year contract to back November's event in Wolverhampton.

Published
Michael van Gerwen winning 2016's Grand Slam of Darts at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

The Grand Slam of Darts was introduced in 2007 and sees 32 players from both the PDC and BDO systems competing across nine days.

Won for the past two years at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall by Michael van Gerwen, the tournament has also seen Phil Taylor, Scott Waites and Raymond van Barneveld lift the prestigious trophy over the past decade.

This year's Grand Slam of Darts, to be held from November 11-19, will be the first sponsored by bwin under a new partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation.

"It's great to welcome bwin as the new title sponsor for the bwin Grand Slam of Darts," said PDC chairman Barry Hearn. "Their previous sponsorship of the World Cup of Darts came at a time of huge growth for that event in Germany in 2014 and 2015.

"Their backing of the Grand Slam of Darts will not only showcase the brand across nine days of fantastic darts in Wolverhampton, but provides worldwide exposure through Sky Sports and our international broadcast partners."

Prize money for the bwin Grand Slam of Darts will increase to £450,000 in 2017, with the first prize rising to £110,000 for the eventual champion following the nine days of action at the Wolves Civic.

Adam Lewis, CMO of bwin said: "We're delighted to become the title sponsor of the bwin Grand Slam of Darts. It is a huge tournament that continues to grow in popularity every year, with an ever-increasing international reach.

"Darts is enjoying a huge boom and it's great for us to link up once again with the PDC to sponsor this prestigious tournament."

The bwin Grand Slam of Darts will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from November 11-19 from the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.