The Stella Artois Championships, London’s pre-Wimbledon, men’s grass-court tennis event at The Queen’s Club has agreed a new long-term agreement with the BBC to maintain their domestic and worldwide television exposure for the next five years.
BBC Television, who have been the host broadcaster for the Stella Artois Championships since they began in 1979, have agreed a further five-year commitment to the tournament which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, 9th – 15th June.
The Stella Artois Championships is an annual sell-out event whose winners have included all the great modern grass-court players including John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras along with the reigning Stella Artois, Wimbledon and World Masters Champion – Lleyton Hewitt.
The BBC will continue their host broadcaster role for the Stella Artois Championships, which will be televised, live on all seven days of the event. Outside the UK, both semi-finals and the final are televised live or ‘as live’ in over 100 countries around the world.
Ian Wight, Tournament Director states: ‘To have renewed our host broadcaster agreement with the BBC at this time is a massive vote of confidence in both the sport and the Stella Artois tournament. The BBC has been an integral part of the development and success of the Stella Artois Championships. Over the last twenty-five years, we have worked together to attract and present the very best grass-court tennis players in the world and we look forward to continuing our partnership.’
Barbara Slater, BBC Head of General Sports says: ‘This tournament is popular with viewers as it attracts the top men’s seeds in the run-up to Wimbledon. The special atmosphere of Queens translates well onto television and we’re delighted to have renewed our exclusive deal with the Stella Artois Championships.’
For further information on the Stella Artois Championships please contact:
Jolyon Armstrong on +44 (0)1635 41677 or: Jolyon.Armstrong@btopenworld.com
For BBC Sport: Caroline Inman on +44 (0)20 8576 7789 or caroline.inman@bbc.co.uk